This topic

Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:42:50 GMT

Hi, was hoping to start having full fibre installed today. But I had to turn the engineer away - just too many problems. With hindsight I should have made myself more aware of the procedure but to be honest the info was not readily available.

I live in an end of terrace cottage in Wales that is right on the street. So any cable coming down to street level is vulnerable from the pavement. And TBH the box that terminates the cable is flimsy to say the least.

I have an outbuilding at the rear and I'm proposing to protect it and the main house with a camera system. Obviously if the cable gets snipped I lose my security system - totally. I'm not saying it's that kind of neighbourhood but snipping the fibre cable would be a no brainer to a burglar with half a brain. I understand it's fairly robust - kevlar and all that. Still no problem for aviation shears.

I don't seem to have a lot of options. One thought is that I will protect the cable with some heavy duty trunking and fit a heavy duty cover over the terminal box. I've now searched several hours for a products that would do the job - not really happy with what I've found. I may have to fabricate my own system. Anybody any experience of this or know where to get good gear?

Further, assuming I do protect the cable. Is there a mobile network option for the security system to dial out if the internet goes down?

Sorry about the length and half rant - I'm really desperate. Any help would be massively appreciated.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

pippincp — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:10:56 GMT

I'm sure there is a sheet metal fabrication company near you that would fabricated custom covers for you. Fitting them though may be up to you.

I wonder why you don't have a burgular alarm fitted if that worried about security though. A dummy alarm box on the oitside wall will quite often deter burgulars.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

Carlusha — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:30:37 GMT

@JeanW Have you considered a battery operated security or solar powered system? The only downside for the first is having to change the batteries every 18 to 24 months.

As mentioned by @pippincp, the dummy box option is realistic and worked for us for 11 years after a burglary but now we reside in an apartment.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:23:05 GMT

I obviously don't know how your phone line is run to your property but if it is not in an underground duct does the same not apply if they were to cut your telephone line.

Where is your electrical meter, if its on an outside wall in a box, all they need to do is pull out the main fuse and your system regardless of whether its fibre or ADSL will go down because the router and your camera system will be disabled.

Camera's don't stop your property from being broken into, all they do is give you nice pictures of the people doing it and if the crooks are any good they will make sure that they are wearing hoodys when they are breaking in.

An alarm system with a battery back up system that activates when it is tampered with would be your best bet. There are systems that will also call you and sent a text using the onboard mobile sim card when activated.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

Les-Gibson — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:33:30 GMT

You don't need to totally lose your security system because someone cuts the fibre.

As old as the principal may be, my cameras support FTP and I run my own FTP server so even if I lose my broadband link I still have a local backup

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

jac_95 — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 20:30:30 GMT

Alarm with communication to an alarm monitoring centre via dual methods such as over VoIP/Internet and also mobile network.
Cameras to NVR/NAS
Mobile Internet connection as backup if required (potentially halo https://www.bt.com/exp/halo or use a router that supports backup mobile network)

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:49:05 GMT

Thank you - we have a traditional burglar alarm. It probably helps but experience suggests that nobody takes any notice of alarms.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:50:38 GMT

Thank you - will consider a battery or solar back-up.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:51:40 GMT

Thank you - good idea.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:52:59 GMT

Thank you - that's very useful - will investiage further.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

JeanW — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:57:21 GMT

Thank you. The telephone line is up at eaves level - the engineer who called today insisted that the cable had to drop to street level for access. My mains fusebox is inside. I'll have a look at systems which have mobile network access.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

pippincp — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:46:07 GMT

@JeanW That's correct, the CSP that is placed outside the property is where the fibre is spliced before entry. It is totally impossible to splice a fibre off a set of ladders. That is why it will be placed at street level.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

Devon_Dave — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:55:38 GMT

I am afraid you will never be able to stop anyone cutting your fibre cable. It does not matter how much you protect it on your premises if anyone is that determined to cut your fibre they would cut it back in the openreach network. Have come across many instances of intruders lifting up a footway box and using a hacksaw or cable croppers and cutting every cable in the box.

Re: Full fibre installation - security issues

licquorice — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:03:28 GMT

@JeanW Not wishing to be rude, but an end of terrace house on the street is hardly likely to be a prime target for the type of burglary that necessitates cutting of phone lines.

They could currently simply cut your connection now with an axe through the underground cable going up the pole feeding your current overhead line if they were that determined.