VDSL Installers used my garage Cat6

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mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#139513 11-Feb-2014 17:31

A couple of months ago I got VDSL installed. It went reasonably smoothly and I'm happy with the speeds etc.

However, it appears that the installer reused a Cat6 Cable that was specifically wired into the garage when we built it to provide internet access out there, but was not yet connected to the modem or a hub.

I went under the house last week to connect it all up, but found something already using it:

I can only assume it is the VDSL install as I don't believe we've had anyone else under the house since the Cat6 was installed (except for the insulation, and I'm quite sure they didn't do this!). Am I correct that this would be my VDSL connection? If so, is this normal, to just hijack a cable that I've got earmarked for another purpose?

I'm going to call Telecom to ask them to come and rectify the problem, but first just wanted to ensure that this is the VDSL install, and get your thoughts on whether they should be doing this?

Many thanks,
Adam

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#984308 11-Feb-2014 17:31

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

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- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

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overkill

222 posts

Master Geek

#984315 11-Feb-2014 17:35

By anychance is Sky directly above that point?

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sbiddle

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#984365 11-Feb-2014 18:37

Without knowing your exactly setup it's very difficult to comment.

What is your wiring layout and where does this cable fit into things?

mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#984677 12-Feb-2014 00:29

This wire had one end wired up to a data port in the garage, and the other end not connected to anything. I asked for it to be specifically wired into to the garage for when I wanted the internet out there (which was last week).

I'm assuming it is VDSL, because I cannot think of what else it could be, so my main question is should this have been done, or should the installer installed a new cable? I just can't imagine Telecoms policy is to hijack existing cables, or is it?

Thanks,
Adam

mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#984679 12-Feb-2014 00:31

Oh, and the Sky box is about 5m away, but that was installed ages ago (before the garage build).

Adam

Ragnor

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#984685 12-Feb-2014 03:40

Where does the phone line enter the house?

sbiddle

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#984696 12-Feb-2014 06:20

mrbarnsey: This wire had one end wired up to a data port in the garage, and the other end not connected to anything. I asked for it to be specifically wired into to the garage for when I wanted the internet out there (which was last week).

I'm assuming it is VDSL, because I cannot think of what else it could be, so my main question is should this have been done, or should the installer installed a new cable? I just can't imagine Telecoms policy is to hijack existing cables, or is it?

Thanks,
Adam

Unfortunately it's not really possible to provide an answer based on such limited information. We really need to know how many jack points you have, a quick explanation of your wiring setup, and where the wiring enters the home via an ETP.

BTW Telecom have nothing to do with wiring, it's Chorus who come and perform an installation.

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overkill

222 posts

Master Geek

#984721 12-Feb-2014 08:14

mrbarnsey: Oh, and the Sky box is about 5m away, but that was installed ages ago (before the garage build).

Adam

Are you able to follow that white 4 wire cable to where it goes up into your house and let us know what it is connected to?

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coffeebaron

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#984735 12-Feb-2014 08:56

If its definitely your data cable, just cut and use it. Then log a fault if the VDSL stops. Chorus shouldn't have used without asking.
If however it was already being used to carry phone before Chorus came, then they may well have legitimately used it if there was no practical way to run new cable.

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nakedmolerat

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#984740 12-Feb-2014 09:00

guys, i have seen this before...

do you know kim.com?

this is GCSB handiwork! ;-)

overkill

222 posts

Master Geek

#984806 12-Feb-2014 09:57

coffeebaron: If its definitely your data cable, just cut and use it. Then log a fault if the VDSL stops. Chorus shouldn't have used without asking.
If however it was already being used to carry phone before Chorus came, then they may well have legitimately used it if there was no practical way to run new cable.

Before you go cutting it, find out what is servicing first, it could still be "Sky" wiring....I say this because the white cable is using a colour code of Blue/White Red/Black, as far as I see in the pic, it is not the standard Homelan or Cat cable that is a stock item for the main contractors, it is a cable that is used by alot of Sky installers....or it could even be used for an alarm cable.

If the end of Blue Cat6 connects to the White 4 wire and then goes straight to your VDSL Jackpoint, then they have used the Cat for your VDSL, go back to your service provider to have it rectified, if it goes somewhere else, then someone else has been using your wiring.

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#985062 12-Feb-2014 13:52

overkill:
mrbarnsey: Oh, and the Sky box is about 5m away, but that was installed ages ago (before the garage build).

Adam
Are you able to follow that white 4 wire cable to where it goes up into your house and let us know what it is connected to?

Not easily as we've had underfloor insulation put in after sky was installed. I'll give it a go tonight to see if I can follow it.

mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#985065 12-Feb-2014 13:54

coffeebaron: If its definitely your data cable, just cut and use it. Then log a fault if the VDSL stops. Chorus shouldn't have used without asking.
If however it was already being used to carry phone before Chorus came, then they may well have legitimately used it if there was no practical way to run new cable.

Thanks coffeebaron, this is the info that I was after.

It's definitely mine, and was not being used to carry anything before Chorus came.

I'll call Telecom (who can call Chorus).

mrbarnsey

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#985072 12-Feb-2014 13:57

overkill:
coffeebaron: If its definitely your data cable, just cut and use it. Then log a fault if the VDSL stops. Chorus shouldn't have used without asking.
If however it was already being used to carry phone before Chorus came, then they may well have legitimately used it if there was no practical way to run new cable.

Before you go cutting it, find out what is servicing first, it could still be "Sky" wiring....I say this because the white cable is using a colour code of Blue/White Red/Black, as far as I see in the pic, it is not the standard Homelan or Cat cable that is a stock item for the main contractors, it is a cable that is used by alot of Sky installers....or it could even be used for an alarm cable.

If the end of Blue Cat6 connects to the White 4 wire and then goes straight to your VDSL Jackpoint, then they have used the Cat for your VDSL, go back to your service provider to have it rectified, if it goes somewhere else, then someone else has been using your wiring.

I'll try to trace it tonight to see if it leads to my VDSL jackpoint (or if I can't trace it, I'll see if the wire in the VDSL jackpoint is the Blue/White Red/Black one, and do the same at the Sky jackpoint).

Good point re the alarm, I'll check that out, but don't think anything has changed on the alarm for a while.

Thanks all for your help.

webwat

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#988255 16-Feb-2014 14:45

It does look like an alarm cable but hard to see it clearly. If you cut it, you may not be able to find whats disconnected unless its something you use every day. What is plugged into the other end of the garage cable, presumably in a cabinet somewhere? I suspect its the alarm, since they would just have been looking for any phone signal and apparently weren't bothered wiring it up for their line grabber.

Even if that garage cable had been used for a phone or been connected to a phone jack, its should eventually be part of a structured cabling solution so never OK to just disconnect a functioning connection unless its being replaced. Thats cowboy stuff.

Time to find a new industry!

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