BT Openreach Changes it’s FTTC Installation Options from February 2016

BT Openreach Changes it’s FTTC Installation Options from February 2016

FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) installations, used to be maintained by BT engineers, however now BT Openreach have brought out two self-install methods for customers to set up their own devices from February 2016.

Eliminating the Managed Install method for FTTC, means that BT has alleviated many customer issues with engineer appointments and time slots. Previously a customer was assigned a lengthy five hour morning or afternoon time slot where a BT engineer would arrive at their house and provide an installation. This was inconvenient for a majority of customers who would not be able to be available for this extended amount of time.

FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) installations

Now two options are available for BT customers to have their FTTC installed.The first, called the ‘Self Install’, consists of a BT engineer visiting the customer’slocal cabinet, which supplies a FTTC line to a customer’sstreet or area. The BT engineer will thenconnect FTTC without entering the customer’s home. The second option, called the ‘Managed Install’, is where the BT engineer will visit the customer’s home and plug the Openreach FTTC directly into the customers modem, rather than set up another, new device.

Unfortunately, the ‘Self Install’ option requires the customer to set up their own equipment prior to the BT engineer visiting their local cabinet. This of course, can bring up its own issues. In addition, future Openreach FTTC customers will also be required to already have their FTTC or DSL Router, as BT will stop supplying them from February 2016.A list of certified Openreach FTTC modems are available from BT, including the Cisco 887, 897 and the ZyXEL VMG8324.

Customers must bear in mind that when purchasing a modem, they should buy an Openreach certified device, as in case of an accident or malfunction, Openreach engineers may not fix an uncertified model, or even charge to fix modems and devices not present on their certified list.