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Pock

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#100308 8-Apr-2012 16:32
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In the process currently of having UFB connected at our house. 

It's a rather confusing and somewhat frustrating process. Started off inquiring with our ISP in the middle of February when fibre would be ready for our area as I had heard about it being installed in our area. Had a very positive response from our ISP saying that yes it's true and it would be ready next month (March). 

Well March came....and nothing, so I inquired again and after a few emails got a response. Got sent some forms, filled them out same day and got them back to them so that things could move forward. 

...and then we waited.

This is where it got confusing.

Finally had a call from the company that contracts to our ISP to do the actual connection. They wanted to come and have a look at the job etc - fair enough. Organised a time and they came and looked and said they would get back to us. Got a call from a directional drilling company, who also wanted to have a look at the job. So I organize a time with them to come around and have a look. Found that the company that contracts to our ISP doesn't actually do the cabling, they contract out to another company to do that. Next I get a call from yet another company that needs to come round and mark where all the underground power cables go so the drilling company can avoid them. They come and mark it all up and the drilling company comes back, digs some holes and then says it's too wet to do the actual drilling and they will be back.

Confused yet?

So, as of right now, we have a hole dug in the berm, a hole dug just outside our property, a hole dug on the street side of our garden (which is against our house) and a hole dug in our garden right next to our house.

So, as far as I can make out, this is how it all 'works':

ISP contacts to comms company to do install, who contracts to directional drilling company who does the actual drilling, who contracts to electricity company who marks out where underground power is. This is where we are up to now.

I guess the next step is for the directional drilling company to come back when it's not too wet for them to work (I really don't know why moisture is an issue) and actually get the cable under the house and then comms company comes and presumably installs a cabinet at the roadside and installs whatever they need to in the house to go from fibre to ethernet.

All in all, very confusing and time consuming. I was told that it would be 'ready' in March. Well, it's well into April and all I have is some holes in the ground.

I took some photos of said holes. 

Holes dug on berm and house side of footpath:
 

The fibre cable (where all the internetz comes out of):


Some cryptic markings next to the berm hole (says : T/C UTR I think?)


More cryptology beside the hole on the other side of the footpath:


The holes on our section (there is one closer to the house - in the garden too):

 

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raytaylor
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  #606755 8-Apr-2012 17:35
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This all sounds normal.

Your isp pays Chorus, (or Enable or Northpower) to provide the fibreoptic link between your house and their data centre.

Chorus or their equivalant, will then send out the directional drilling people to organise getting a duct put in. They require power lines to be marked. Once thats done, the drilling company can come back and drill the tunnel. But if the tunnel they are drilling keeps filling with water, their cameras or ultrasonic equipment wont work under the ground.

They could just use a ditchwitch which is like a lawnmower with a small ditch digging chainsaw attached but directional drilling looks nicer and doesnt damage your lawn.

So once the tunnel is there, the directional drilling company will install the PVC ducting, and then seal it off.

Chorus (or enable or northpower) will come back out and blow fibre down the duct and install the ONT and other equipment. This person may also work for a chorus contractor who specifically performs the remedial tasks that can free up chrous' time for other things.

When they blow fibre down  the duct - its really smart. Its a fancier version of tieing a plastic shopping bag to the end of a string of fibre, and pushing it down one end of the pipe at the street, and at the house end, sucking it out with a vaccuum cleaner.

Then they install the ONT on the side or inside your house, so that your fibre connection gets converted to cat5 for your router, and copper for your telephone.  




Ray Taylor

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Pock

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  #606770 8-Apr-2012 18:25
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All makes sense, it just seems to be taking forever.

sbiddle
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  #606773 8-Apr-2012 18:40
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Once the ducting is in blowing the fibre is the quick part. You're then probably looking at at least half a day or longer for the ONT install, fibre into your home, installation of the router and rewiring of your home for phone services.




Pock

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  #606805 8-Apr-2012 19:29
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So will there be something like this:

http://box.houkouonchi.jp/vz_150/DSC_8271.JPG

Mounted on the outside of our house? What about on the street? I'm assuming they don't just 'join' the fiber underground, but will have some sort of cabinet?

Pock

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  #606806 8-Apr-2012 19:29
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BTW, thanks for all the info.

sbiddle
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  #606814 8-Apr-2012 19:45
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Pock: So will there be something like this:

http://box.houkouonchi.jp/vz_150/DSC_8271.JPG

Mounted on the outside of our house? What about on the street? I'm assuming they don't just 'join' the fiber underground, but will have some sort of cabinet?
'

The ONT is internal, not external. You'll also possibly need a new power socket installed if there isn't power in a suitable location, but that's not something to worry about at present.


lucky015
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  #606862 8-Apr-2012 22:20
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Great to see some pictures of stuff actually happening, Curious how much they are charging though? As well what area your in and who the contractors doing the work are?

 
 
 
 

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CYaBro
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  #606930 9-Apr-2012 07:13
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Yea I'd also be interested in the cost for this installation.




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sbiddle
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  #606938 9-Apr-2012 07:35
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CYaBro: Yea I'd also be interested in the cost for this installation.


UFB installs have been discussed quite extensively on here in a number of threads.

Essentially "installation", the definition of which is the overhead or undergroud drop from the street to your home, an internal fibre run to the ONT, and supply of the ONT is free. There are restrictions on the length of cable runs for a free install which off the top of my head are 15m and 5m internal. Exceed these and you will be charged.

What an install doesn't include, and it's up to the RSP / ISP to decide what they're going to charge you -

*Supply of router
*Configuration
*Integration with existing home network
*Additional cat5e cabling in the home
*Integration with existing phone wiring
*New power point if required for the ONT
*UPS if you want one to maintain phone services during a power cut

Pock

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  #606978 9-Apr-2012 09:52
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...

What an install doesn't include, and it's up to the RSP / ISP to decide what they're going to charge you -

*Supply of router
*Configuration
*Integration with existing home network
*Additional cat5e cabling in the home
*Integration with existing phone wiring
*New power point if required for the ONT
*UPS if you want one to maintain phone services during a power cut


My ISP is asking for 1 month up front, which I think is fair enough.

I currently have a router used for wired and wireless distribution of our current connection. All the cabling for phone and PC's is already there and a power point is available, and I have a UPS. 

So looks like I'm sorted... 

CYaBro
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  #606991 9-Apr-2012 10:30
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sbiddle:
CYaBro: Yea I'd also be interested in the cost for this installation.


UFB installs have been discussed quite extensively on here in a number of threads.

Essentially "installation", the definition of which is the overhead or undergroud drop from the street to your home,?an internal fibre?run to the ONT, and supply of the ONT is?free. There are restrictions on the length of cable runs for?a free install which off the top of my head are 15m and 5m internal. Exceed these and you will be charged.

What an install doesn't include, and it's up to the RSP / ISP to decide what they're going to charge you -

*Supply of router
*Configuration
*Integration with existing home network
*Additional cat5e cabling in the home
*Integration with existing phone wiring
*New power point if required for the ONT
*UPS if you want one to maintain phone services during a power cut


Interesting... I've heard of one place that got quoted around $3k by northpower to get fibre installed.
I've got a client who also wants to get it and fibre is available in their street now but the ISP has told me to expect a big install fee.




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Beccara
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  #606996 9-Apr-2012 10:35
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CYaBro:
sbiddle:
CYaBro: Yea I'd also be interested in the cost for this installation.


UFB installs have been discussed quite extensively on here in a number of threads.

Essentially "installation", the definition of which is the overhead or undergroud drop from the street to your home,?an internal fibre?run to the ONT, and supply of the ONT is?free. There are restrictions on the length of cable runs for?a free install which off the top of my head are 15m and 5m internal. Exceed these and you will be charged.

What an install doesn't include, and it's up to the RSP / ISP to decide what they're going to charge you -

*Supply of router
*Configuration
*Integration with existing home network
*Additional cat5e cabling in the home
*Integration with existing phone wiring
*New power point if required for the ONT
*UPS if you want one to maintain phone services during a power cut


Interesting... I've heard of one place that got quoted around $3k by northpower to get fibre installed.
I've got a client who also wants to get it and fibre is available in their street now but the ISP has told me to expect a big install fee.


If your more than 2 span's from the nearest black box on the pole then it's build costs, If the line from the pole to the house cross's another person's property then it's drilling at your cost. MDU's and the entire cost is on you.

PM me who the clients address and I'll let you know the exact reason for the costs 




Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated 

Pock

156 posts

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  #608046 11-Apr-2012 21:56
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Well, an update. The directional drilling company came back today and installed the conduit from the road to the outside of the house. Comm's company is coming tomorrow to look over the job.

Pock

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  #609215 14-Apr-2012 11:09
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...and yesterday yet another company came and installed the fiber from the cabinet to our house. Mounted a box on the outside, which connected to another fiber (I'm guessing this is the demarcation point). The other fiber then was routed into the house and connected to an Ericsson OTP. Next step is for someone to come and configure it all. Apparently that won't happen for another week.

Lorenceo
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  #609236 14-Apr-2012 12:00
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Be sure to take pictures of all the equipment and wiring when it's complete.

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