This topic

Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

etwallace — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:29:52 GMT

Hi,

The new EE router installs by BT use a thin bb rj11 type of cable from the wall box to the router, not Ethernet. If I wanted to move the EE router how long could the bb cable be extended without affecting performance ?

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:48:51 GMT

There is no Cat standard for RJ11 cable so would depend on the quality of the cable. its resistance to interference & the path it takes between devices. I've used a 5m cable without issue for years now but it's probably a case of buy one with good reviews & try it.

One using twisted pair cable may be more resilient to interference.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:09:47 GMT

@etwallace

Think of the cable between the phone socket and the router as an extension of the cable between your home and the green cabinet, (if you are on FTTC), or the telephone exchange, (if you are on ADSL), and what proportion of the total line length that new cable represents - probably insignificant?

What can be more important is how that cable is routed: a short cable that passes close to other electrical items that could induce interference is likely to be more problematic than a longer cable that takes a route avoiding such devices.

As @Anonymous says, a twisted pair cable, (of good quality), will likely give better results than a "cheap and nasty" one if your existing service is marginal. If, like me, you live very close to the cabinet and already sync at the max speeds, you can "get away" with a lot more!

What speeds are you currently getting?

***EDIT - just noticed that you used the word "extended" - I wouldn't extend the existing cable, but buy a new cable long enough to get from socket to router in one length.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

WSH — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 12:51:30 GMT

I’d echo what has been said above but stress that most cheap RJ11 cable is based on the old flat phone cable and it’s rubbish for data transfer.

I’d recommend a twisted pair type. My personal opinion is ADSLNation Pro+ cable. Twisted pair and heavily shielded. I can’t give you a link as that is against forum rules but if you search for ADSLNation you’ll find them. They trade through Tandy these days and last time I looked, the cables came in lengths from 0.5m to 20m although you may have to order the less common lengths. Personally, I’d try to keep it to no more than 5m, if you can. I rigged a temporary 10m cable last time I was decorating and the losses, compared to the 0.5m cable I usually use, were 1 - 2Mb/s, if memory serves.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

etwallace — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:38:24 GMT

Its a fttp installation with new bt EE router, not adsl.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

wkirkman — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:04:11 GMT

@etwallace

The new EE router installs by BT use a thin bb rj11 type of cable from the wall box to the router, not Ethernet.

What you are describing is not FTTP. That is for DSL.

You should have Ethernet from the router (fourth port or WAN port if the PLUS version) to the ONT for the fibre on the wall.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

WSH — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:06:52 GMT

Sorry, I'm confused now. If it's FTTP and an ONT then it will be RJ45 connectors and cat 5e. You said it was RJ11, which is the old DSL master socket to router. If it is FTTP a cat 5e/6 cable up to 100m* will be viable.

*100m is the technical spec. and assumes good quality cable and a perfect install. Working techies rarely push beyond 80m.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:20:17 GMT

@etwallace

To add to what @WSH has said, bearing in mind that this single ethernet cable will be carrying all of your internet traffic, you might want to look in to the shielding properties of the cable that you are planning to buy - to reduce the likelyhood of interference being induced on to your internet connection.

Some ethernet cables have significantly better shielding than others!

Note also that CAT5E is the minimum spec for this, CAT6 and above would also be suitable, but possibly more difficult to install around corners and probably more expensive.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

etwallace — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:39:49 GMT

Apologies for the mix up, I will have to check whether its fttc or fftp. I'll attach a pic if possible. No more replies for the time being thanks.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

WSH — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:33:14 GMT

I’d agree with Paul608085 on that. I have sometimes used flat cat 7 for that reason. While the performance rating of cat 7 is over the top, (at up to 10Gb/s), it is shielded and the flat profile allows it to go round tighter corners.

Incidentally, if it is FTTC/VDSL you have then the cable I suggested will work equally well for both VDSL and ADSL. The ADSL is just the name of the company.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

TimCurtis — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 10:00:01 GMT

@etwallace

If it is an FTTC connection then you want cable with a CW1308 spec (I think that's the correct one) and all copper, not copper/aluminium.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

WSH — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:44:33 GMT

Sorry, I have to disagree. A lot of the cheap CW1308 is straight wired. I think it was appendix D that called for twisted pair. Certainly it is unshielded. In any case the cable I recommended is far superior to 1308.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

licquorice — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:09:14 GMT

We're talking about DSL that has already traveled about a mile on wet string before it gets to the house. It doesn't have to be anything fancy for a couple of metres.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

wkirkman — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:32:24 GMT

I once tried some of the fancier cable. Made it worse as the twisted pairs then actually make slightly more wire to get through.

What I found REALLY helped my speed was to cut that cable down to as short as I could get away with. Mine is about 15cm if that. My DSL sped up a lot from the 3m they give you by default.

Doesn’t help here though as I think the request was to make it longer, which may drop the speeds a little. From my experience.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

WSH — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:55:43 GMT

@licquoriceSorry Licquorice, on this occasion I have to disagree with you. I know from experience that it does make a significant difference, or at least, it did in my case.

@wkirkmanYeah, got to agree. Minimum distance is the main thing.

Each to his own. At the end of the day the OP will have to make his own mind up about what works for him.

Re: Max length of bb cable from wall to EE router

licquorice — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 18:37:44 GMT

Fair enough, we'll agree to disagree