Forum Discussion

danielvost's avatar
danielvost
Joining in
7 days ago

Full fibre rollout, old cables upgrade

Hi, I'm doing major renovation works at my property, including rewiring. I have an old VM external box with coaxial cables. I've heard that those being phased out and will be replaced with full fibre cables. Is this true and is there a way to find out rollout plan across different areas/postcodes/streets? the VM post code checker doesn't specify whether it's HTTC or HTTP, just confirms that "we're in your area"... My goal is to future proof the property and prepare the fibre tubes for the new cables to be blown in...

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8 Replies

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    7 days ago

    When that project finally sees the light of day, the new fibre cable will be run to your property at the same location. The Hub will be inside with a direct fibre cable.  There will be no other cables installed as FTTP only carries broadband.  TV is now IP TV streamed either over WiFi or Ethernet cable.  There’s not really a lot to prepare conduit for. You would be better served by running Ethernet cables and sockets etc. and terminate all cables in a central location with a network switch.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    6 days ago

    Best to establish a comms cupboard to house hub, router, splitter, etc, with three 2-gang (or two 3-gang) sockets. If you foresee more devices in there then install at least two more 2-gang sockets on a dedicated circuit (to prevent tripping a breaker if you add more equipment). Run cat 6 cabling from the cupboard to all rooms which may need it and terminated at RJ45 sockets.

  • danielvost's avatar
    danielvost
    Joining in
    2 days ago

    Great, I’ve done all of that, my question is about the cables which would go from outside to that cupboard. I don’t want them to be visible and run along the hallway to my network cupboard…

    • goslow's avatar
      goslow
      Alessandro Volta
      2 days ago

      Don't think you will get any schedules or roll out plans for fibre on here

      Look up some installation videos to see what might be involved with fibre going inside the home

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxlQTCZkeYU

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n32DQsyfoek

      These videos show pre-made fibre cables being used. If you are renovating, all you can probably do now is put in conduit or ducts from outside to the inside comm's cupboard, with a draw rope inside, so that a fibre cable could possibly be pulled through later on.

  • danielvost's avatar
    danielvost
    Joining in
    2 days ago

    Thanks Alessandro, exactly what I’m thinking to do. Do you by chance have any recommendations on the specifications of the tubes for the future fibre cables?

    • goslow's avatar
      goslow
      Alessandro Volta
      2 days ago

      You would only use a dedicated fibre optic micro duct if VM was blowing fibre through.

      To install ready made pre-terminated fibre cables in fixed lengths you would just install some regular electrical conduit.

      If you are installing it under a floor you could use one continuous piece of flexible conduit to reduce the likelihood of snagging. Make sure it is well clipped and avoid any sharp bends.

      A 25mm diameter conduit would give you the best chance of pulling through cables with connectors on.

      The VM new build handbook details all the spec's for materials that VM uses

      https://prod.ctassets.virginmedia.com/uploads/new_build_handbook_v1_64_be936f5e4b.pdf

       

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    You get what's there, might be coaxial today but if so it will be fibre in some years from now. The internal cable will be white, so it doesn't stand out. Fibre is better as it can be tacked on top of skirting boards. If you get a quote tell which which package and hub you'll be getting and we can help.

  • danielvost's avatar
    danielvost
    Joining in
    2 days ago

    Hi @Roger_Gooner! Let me repeat my question please… Do you by chance have any recommendations on the specifications of the tubes for the future fibre cables? I want any future fibre cables run through the tubes, which will go underneath floor joists into my network cupboard… I don’t want any cables sticking in top of my skirting boards in the future just to be clear…