Computer Related > BT Infinity installation issues Computing Issues
Thread Author: FocalPoint Replies: 16
View Threaded 

 Tue 17 Jan 12 00:25 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
BT are soon going to install Infinity at the FP mansion. In their blurb they say there will be a new Hub and modem near the phone master socket, but that an ethernet cable of up to 30m can be run between the master socket and the Hub/modem.

This raises some issues. My master socket is supplied from outside the house by a wire from a pole in the street and is upstairs in a front bedroom. What I don't want is thick cable all through or all round the house to reach the study at the side/back where the computer is. (And where the phone master socket would be much more conveniently sited.)

If the BT engineer can't/won't do discreet wiring, should I let him install the Hub/modem upstairs and consider getting some gadget to plug into my PC to receive broadband wirelessly? What would I need, exactly?
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 00:42 
 BT Infinity installation issues - VxFan
>> consider getting some gadget to plug into my PC to receive broadband wirelessly?
>> What would I need, exactly?

Something like this I would imagine.

tinyurl.com/7zf94pm - ebay link
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 00:49 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
Thank you, DD. That looks like the bit of kit I might need.

I didn't mention that at present I plug my PC into my modem/router via an ethernet cable.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 00:51 
 BT Infinity installation issues - VxFan
>> I didn't mention that at present I plug my PC into my modem/router via an ethernet cable.

That's how my desktop PC is connected. The router is screwed to the back of the workstation it sits on, so I only need a short ethernet lead. Only use the wireless function of the router for my laptop, printer, and iPhone.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 09:25 
 BT Infinity installation issues - John H
The BT or Openreach "engineer" will most likely have a time allocated to his job and will be constrained by his job card as to what he can do for you. Ideally, if he has time and the inclination, he might be persuaded to reroute the incoming line and connect a new master socket in your study.

Otherwise, to avoid a thick ethernet cable to your study, three options are:

1. Powerline connection, using your mains wiring as the signal conduit, eg.
www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_9&products_id=111912

2. Wireless external adapter eg.
www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_9&products_id=110321

3. Wireless internal adapter eg.
www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_9&products_id=111779

Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 10:28 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
That's a really helpful contribution, JH.

I am indeed hoping the BT engineer can reroute the incoming line to a new master socket, but I imagine it will depend where I am in his schedule - his visit is timed for between 1pm and 6 pm.

Thank you for the other suggestions.
Last edited by: FocalPoint on Tue 17 Jan 12 at 10:28
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 10:49 
 BT Infinity installation issues - rtj70
The new modem needs to be plugged into the new BT Infinity master socket. No way around that. But the modem does not need to be next to it. BT will happily run a CAT5 cable to another room (within reason) either inside or via the outside of the house.

In the location where the modem will go they will put a small phone socket for the Infinity modem to plug into. The Homehub then plugs into the modem.

You could use wireless or power line Ethernet adapters. But remember the Internet connection is up to 40Mbit/s for downloads and 10Mbit/s for uploads (unless you went for the cheaper option where uploads are slower). And BT will be increasing this in future. So whatever connection is used it should be capable of sustaining these speeds - otherwise the slowest part of the link could be the wireless connection.

I've got my BT Infinity plugged into a socket in the office upstairs. The cable runs downstairs to the master socket in the hall.

Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 10:56 
 BT Infinity installation issues - John H
BT and other broadband ISPs prefer you to connect the router direct in to the mastersocket, as that ensures the best connection speeds and avoids having to deal with faults caused by internal wiring.

If you report a fault, they will always ask whether your router is connected to the master socket and if not they will ask that you move it there before further tests are carried out.

Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 11:55 
 BT Infinity installation issues - rtj70
John H, for BT Infinity they will run a CAT5 data cable (not phone cable) to another room. I know because that is what I have. The new master socket also does away with the need for micro filters etc.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Tue 17 Jan 12 15:13 
 BT Infinity installation issues - Fursty Ferret
If you ask nicely they'll just move the master socket. Assuming your house is wired up properly it could be switched to pretty much any other phone socket in the building.

Caveat: The BT chap did it for me, anyway (after bribing with Jaffa Cakes).
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 15:45 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
Just to update anyone who's interested...

I have just had a very good experience with the BT/Infinity guy*. Everything is now sorted, with minimal disruption.

The extensions to phone sockets in FP Mansions run out the back of the former master socket. The first thing the engineer did was a quick check to the exchange to confirm line quality; next, join the incoming wire to the internal wiring and leave the actual socket dead.

Then downstairs to the socket in the study to check connectivity. All good, so a new master socket was installed there. New modem and router plugged in. Ethernet to PC - bingo! No nasty wires, everything as before except my speed has gone up from about 5.5 Mbps to 38.6 Mbps.

*He even refused a cup of tea. Never had the chance to offer him home-made Christmas cake (remains of)!
Last edited by: FocalPoint on Thu 19 Jan 12 at 15:49
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 16:05 
 BT Infinity installation issues - rtj70
and your upload speed should be faster than your old download speed. You'll probably get at least 8Mbps.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 16:12 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
"You'll probably get at least 8Mbps."

Not so, O sage one. At the moment it's 1.7. Do you think there's a problem?
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 16:35 
 BT Infinity installation issues - rtj70
Well I would have assumed more like 8Mbps because you are getting over 38Mbps for download so have a good signal and are close to the cabinet.

But you've probably gone for the cheaper BT Infinity package I take it so it's capped at 2Mbps.

There are two levels of BT Infinity service.

- £18pm gets up to 40Mbps download, 2Mbps upload and 40GB per month data cap
- £25pm gets up to 40Mbps download, 10Mbps upload and unlimited usage (said to really be 100GB fair usage I think)

For remote access to work/customer systems I went for the faster option. I wonder what upload speed Virgin will have on their 60Mbps and 120Mbps options?
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 17:45 
 BT Infinity installation issues - FocalPoint
"...you've probably gone for the cheaper BT Infinity package..."

Got it in one. A cheapskate, me.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 18:05 
 BT Infinity installation issues - rtj70
Well if you don't need to send large files then you've gone for the right package. I benefit more from the fast send at times as I do the download speed. Why pay £84pa more if you don't benefit.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Thu 19 Jan 12 at 18:06
Reply to this message | Report message
       
 Thu 19 Jan 12 16:11 
 BT Infinity installation issues - Zero
Not the way I would have done it, or wanted it. It has an unnecessary join in the line to the master socket.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
Latest Forum Posts