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FTTP Pre-install Questions

Robmonster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:39:27 GMT

Hi there,

I'm considering moving from FTTC to FTTP connection at home.

I have a few concerns about the installation process given my existing installation layout. It is a 2 floor end of terrace property

Currently the HomeHub is connected into the wall in the centre of the downstairs floor. I think the wiring to this socket runs through the cavity wall from the attic, as I believe I can see the phone cable from the street pole run under the eaves on the front of the house. there are no surface mounted cables or anything like that.

The front wall of the house, closest to the street and pole has /no/ electrical plug sockets on it al all. My understanding is that part of the install process a new box gets mounted inside the property that needs power. this will /not/ be able to go on the front wall due to no power supply.

My questions are :-

Will a FTTP installation be able to be connected into the exact same spot? Will they be able to run their connection in the same route? This central location works well as it is where all the networks PC equipment is and is central for Wifi transmission to the rest of the house.

Am I right in my understanding of a new box being installed that needs power? How do the installers handle situations like this given there is no power available near the front wall.

What happens if the installer cannot complete the install due to thee factors, is my existing FTTC connection restored?

I'd be happy to have some kind of pre-install visit for the engineers to size up the install and advise how it will work before I commit to the order. Does such a thing exist?

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

imjolly — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:19:07 GMT

can you enter your address and post results including all the notes

this will short what connection openreach expect at your home

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

iniltous — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:32:36 GMT

1. It’s impossible to know if the current master socket location can be also used for the ONT , if there is no existing cable visible from the pole to the master socket location, then the exact same cable route can’t be used , that’s not to say an alternative cable route to the master socket location isn’t possible.
2.Yes the ONT needs power , you agree a location for the ONT with the installer before any work is done .
3.If a location for the ONT can’t be agreed you cancel the FTTP order , this shouldn’t affect your existing copper pair service.
4.No , there is no pre visit ‘survey’ as such , provided what you want is practical, safe and can be done relatively speedily, there is no reason to assume agreement can be reached, if you suspect your requirements are going to be refused, don’t order , it just wastes your own time and everyone else’s too.

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

Robmonster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:25:18 GMT

Here are the results from that site. I've been told that a connection is possible, its just the finer details I was trying to confirm up front

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

Robmonster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:29:23 GMT

Thank you for the response I was trying to determine how uch work the enginners are allowed to put into the install./ Reading futher in other posts it seems that if a contractor is send then they tend to prefer a simpler install due to their own timer-per-appointment metrics. Openreach direct /may/ be able to be more accomodating.

I'm still assuming that neither will want to be investigating internal cable runs and dropping through cavities, instead preferring to put a box as close as possible to the front of the property

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

iniltous — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:40:33 GMT

As stated earlier , there won’t be any cabling done in wall cavities etc , it’s surface wired both externally, so from where the external cable from the pole ‘hits’ the house wall , to wherever the external splice block (CSP) is situated , and once the internal cable from the CSP enters the property to the location of the ONT that cable is also surface mounted (skirting boards ) etc…obviously to minimise the amount of internal cable , may mean more external cable on wall to get to that entry point .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XDl0-KkPy8

As far as how much time , 2-2.5 hours including travel time , in total would be a reasonable estimation of the time per job , so the tech expected on average to complete 3 jobs in a working day.

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

chrisjp — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:48:08 GMT

"3.If a location for the ONT can’t be agreed you cancel the FTTP order, this shouldn’t affect your existing copper pair service."

No it shouldn't, but be aware that, in some cases described on this Forum, BT has just assumed that a FTTP installation has been successful and discontinued the old copper pair service without checking with Openreach. People in that situation have been able to get their copper pair service back (after a bit of delay) but often with a change in their DV telephone number (if they have this service).
I've been poo-pooed on this Forum in the past for suggesting that a short pre-FTTP-installation check by Openreach would save everyone a bit of time, but it's certainly true that Openreach does not offer this.

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

Robmonster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:49:07 GMT

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

Thinking about the existing house layout the only external wall that would be suitable for power is in one far corner of the house which is far away from where all the existing wired PC equipment is. the rest of the houses devices are covered by the wifi. There is no ethernet run in the house, it's an old 1960's property.

Really struggling to thin how I can get a wired connection where it needs to be if I move to FTTP

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

iniltous — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:51:22 GMT

If you are an end terrace presumably the cable from the pole can ‘hit’ the front of the property and then be run down and around to the side aspect or ever the rear ( have in mind this would be run on the wall at a low level not at height ) , but you are at liberty to run your own Ethernet cable from the likely location of the ONT to where you require the router/network switch or whatever.

Re: FTTP Pre-install Questions

Robmonster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:52:45 GMT

Thanks all for the replies and info, much appreciated