SIRO - ESB/Vodafone Fibre To The Home

Gonzo

Oat23 wrote: »

I wouldn't touch Eir again. They might have changed their name from Eircom but they can get f*cked. Never giving them a penny after the hassle everyone in our street had with them years ago.

I'll probably stick with Virgin for now and make do, hoping Voda see sense on this 1TB/month limit soon. I don't think it's worth the risk right now switching to Vodafone and being locked into an 18 month contract if they end up enforcing their data cap.

FTTH is really good, I went with Eir for it because I was already with them and Vodafone don't supply FTTH in my area. Digiweb have a 200 euros install fee so that ruled them out and Pure Telecom I heard bad stories.

But if your already living in a Virgin Media area, there is no reason whatsoever to need/require FTTH as Virgin is everybit as fast, unless it's 1 gigabit that you need. Most importantly Virgin is cheaper than any of the FTTH providers and have no data limits. Siro/Eir FTTH is really a huge advantage to those who either have only had ADSL/Wireless up to now or average FTTC speeds.

Oat23

Gonzo wrote: »

FTTH is really good, I went with Eir for it because I was already with them and Vodafone don't supply FTTH in my area. Digiweb have a 200 euros install fee so that ruled them out and Pure Telecom I heard bad stories.

But if your already living in a Virgin Media area, there is no reason whatsoever to need/require FTTH as Virgin is everybit as fast, unless it's 1 gigabit that you need. Most importantly Virgin is cheaper than any of the FTTH providers and have no data limits. Siro/Eir FTTH is really a huge advantage to those who either have only had ADSL/Wireless up to now or average FTTC speeds.

It's the upload I need really. The upload speed on SIRO is insane compared to other services. Twice as fast as Virgin's best offering almost.

Gonzo

Oat23 wrote: »

It's the upload I need really. The upload speed on SIRO is insane compared to other services. Twice as fast as Virgin's best offering almost.

that's true, both Eir and Siro's upload is much higher.

Eir's maximum upload is about 95 on speedtests, what is Siro's maximum? about 150?

Oat23

Gonzo wrote: »

that's true, both Eir and Siro's upload is much higher.

Eir's maximum upload is about 95 on speedtests, what is Siro's maximum? about 150?

SIRO's upload speed is 20% of the download speed on Vodafone's packages:

150/30
350/70
1000/200

ED E

Oat23 wrote: »

SIRO's upload speed is 20% of the download speed on Vodafone's packages:

150/30
350/70
1000/200

Its interesting the delta there:
150 / 30
300 / 50
1000 / 100

With a similar PON setups I wonder whats motivated them to pick the profiles they have. Also no intermediary 4th profile of ~ 500Mb.

godskitchen

Westnet: Paul wrote: »

It really shouldn't be long. There will be a fibre from SIRO's core network to an ODP in that chamber, and then individual drop fibres from the ODP to the premises. The link from Westport to Castlebar is built and should complete testing shortly. I'm not sure how much core network build is left to do in Westport.

I'll post here with updates when new premises are released to us in either Castlebar or Westport.

So I am guessing that the fibre from that odp in the chamber is then fed in the existing electrical ducting into the premises, assuming it's all free and clear to do so and the fibre will end up at the fuse board?

furiousox

The fibre cable is ran through the underground duct and is presented in the esb meter cabinet which is usually located on the outside wall of the premises.
The engineer will then have to drill a hole through the wall to get the fibre from the exterior of the building to the interior.

Westnet: Paul

ED E wrote: »

Its interesting the delta there:
150 / 30
300 / 50
1000 / 100

With a similar PON setups I wonder whats motivated them to pick the profiles they have. Also no intermediary 4th profile of ~ 500Mb.

There's a 600/120 profile available as well, but I don't know if any retailer has taken up that option. We didn't really see a commercial need for it.

Also, it's 350/70, unlike open eir's 300M FTTH product.

godskitchen wrote: »

So I am guessing that the fibre from that odp in the chamber is then fed in the existing electrical ducting into the premises, assuming it's all free and clear to do so and the fibre will end up at the fuse board?

No, the fibre comes into the meter cabinet and has to exit immediately, per ESB Networks requirements. You can see that in the picture I posted, where the fibre exits the meter cabinet and travels to the external coupler, from where it heads indoors to the indoor coupler on the inside wall.

I'd need to check, but I think if there was suitable ducting from the meter cabinet to an internal comms cabinet, that it would be OK to use that instead.

godskitchen

Westnet: Paul wrote: »

There's a 600/120 profile available as well, but I don't know if any retailer has taken up that option. We didn't really see a commercial need for it.

Also, it's 350/70, unlike open eir's 300M FTTH product.

No, the fibre comes into the meter cabinet and has to exit immediately, per ESB Networks requirements. You can see that in the picture I posted, where the fibre exits the meter cabinet and travels to the external coupler, from where it heads indoors to the indoor coupler on the inside wall.

I'd need to check, but I think if there was suitable ducting from the meter cabinet to an internal comms cabinet, that it would be OK to use that instead.

Pretty sure the meter is inside for the building in Westport that I want it installed in, still thats up to the installers to figure out.

Can you list the packages that Westnet offer please Paul? I only see the 150mb package on your website

Tigerandahalf

From the picture posted earlier is the fibre cable not vulnerable to being tampered with given that it doesn't seem to be contained within a channel.

Couldn't someone just cut it?

tsue921i8wljb3

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

From the picture posted earlier is the fibre cable not vulnerable to being tampered with given that it doesn't seem to be contained within a channel.

Couldn't someone just cut it?

There is definitely a security issue with that method of installation. It is so easy to tamper with. This cable is also likely to be carrying voice data in the future so to have it so accessible to criminals is somewhat worrying.

ED E

Averi Cool Midget wrote: »

There is definitely a security issue with that method of installation. It is so easy to tamper with. This cable is also likely to be carrying voice data in the future so to have it so accessible to criminals is somewhat worrying.

Ahh come off it. SIP streams will all be encrypted and its rather difficult to tap a PON line which cant be said for the POTs that 90% of the country currently use. Theres unidirectional encryption at the HW level anyways.

tsue921i8wljb3

ED E wrote: »

Ahh come off it. SIP streams will all be encrypted and its rather difficult to tap a PON line which cant be said for the POTs that 90% of the country currently use. Theres unidirectional encryption at the HW level anyways.

You misunderstand. I'm not talking about tapping or intercepting traffic. More that criminals intent on breaking in may simply cut the cable now as it is so accessible thus denying the homeowner, if they are there, one method of calling for help. Perhaps this is overly paranoid view.

Tigerandahalf

ED E wrote: »

Ahh come off it. SIP streams will all be encrypted and its rather difficult to tap a PON line which cant be said for the POTs that 90% of the country currently use. Theres unidirectional encryption at the HW level anyways.

I think what the poster means is that alarm systems could be run through it. Cut the fibre and you have an issue.

Aren't many alarm systems run through the phone line?

PAKNET

Most copper installs in the last 5-10 years have an outside junction box where the cable exits the duct to go into the building which can be very easily opened and the copper snipped. So no great difference for the fibre.

As for alarms, the vast majority of modern panels use GSM as their primary communication path now.

Westnet: Paul

godskitchen wrote: »

Can you list the packages that Westnet offer please Paul? I only see the 150mb package on your website

150/30 - €45
350/70 - €65
1000/200 - €85

All inclusive of VAT. Business products should be available later this year, with symmetric bandwidth and using point-to-point fibre rather than PON - and correspondingly higher prices.

ED E

Averi Cool Midget wrote: »

You misunderstand. I'm not talking about tapping or intercepting traffic. More that criminals intent on breaking in may simply cut the cable now as it is so accessible thus denying the homeowner, if they are there, one method of calling for help. Perhaps this is overly paranoid view.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I think what the poster means is that alarm systems could be run through it. Cut the fibre and you have an issue.

Aren't many alarm systems run through the phone line?

We havent required battery backups for GPON installs. COMREG are clear that most can get a 2G connection if needs be to dial emergency services.

PAKNET wrote: »

Most copper installs in the last 5-10 years have an outside junction box where the cable exits the duct to go into the building which can be very easily opened and the copper snipped. So no great difference for the fibre.

As for alarms, the vast majority of modern panels use GSM as their primary communication path now.

This. OpenEir turned off the fixed line texting service a year or more ago so nearly all alarms went GSM. Could be a few Medi Alert devices still on POTS as they only dial.

bloodyhawk

Westnet: Paul wrote: »

150/30 - €45
350/70 - €65
1000/200 - €85

All inclusive of VAT. Business products should be available later this year, with symmetric bandwidth and using point-to-point fibre rather than PON - and correspondingly higher prices.

Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop, Paul. I wish more ISP providers did the same. Do you mind giving us updates on the business side of things as soon as the information becomes available regarding the prices, profiles, etc.... That would be great!:)

Westnet: Paul

Will do!

Gonzo

Westnet: Paul wrote: »

150/30 - €45
350/70 - €65
1000/200 - €85

All inclusive of VAT. Business products should be available later this year, with symmetric bandwidth and using point-to-point fibre rather than PON - and correspondingly higher prices.

I didn't know that the one fibre network could operate using both PON and PTP to provide completely different services. Could OpenEir's FTTH also be used in this way if they wanted?

Westnet: Paul

Gonzo wrote: »

I didn't know that the one fibre network could operate using both PON and PTP to provide completely different services.

Speculation alert!

Picture an ODP in a chamber in front of a mini-pillar. It has (say) a 24-strand fibre cable feeding it, and (say) eight ports available for output.

If I was designing a network for either PON or PtP, I'd have a four-way splitter on the end of one of the incoming strands, with the outputs terminated on four of the output ports, and the other four ports spliced to incoming fibres.

I don't know that that's how it is done, but it gives a sense of how it's possible.

Could OpenEir's FTTH also be used in this way if they wanted?

Probably. The 3M splice boxes they're using are very versatile. I don't know if they plan to, mind you.

KOR101

Balbriggan update.

Obelisk working today on the Harry Reynolds road near the Westbrook Estate.

theShire

Salesman at the door today in Ennis.
Existing customer so offer is free for 3months, 3months at reduced 40e and then 50/month for 12months.

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

Also said that I'd see a drop in my current speed on VF fibre because all my neighbours have signed up for siro.

Not a fan of that sales technique so said no thanks - I can always just sign up online when I want

Deagol

theShire wrote: »

Salesman at the door today in Ennis.
Existing customer so offer is free for 3months, 3months at reduced 40e and then 50/month for 12months.

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

Also said that I'd see a drop in my current speed on VF fibre because all my neighbours have signed up for siro.

Not a fan of that sales technique so said no thanks - I can always just sign up online when I want

If he turns up at my door talking that crap he'll get some shock. I always make a point to get peoples names...;)

Tigerandahalf

theShire wrote: »

Salesman at the door today in Ennis.
Existing customer so offer is free for 3months, 3months at reduced 40e and then 50/month for 12months.

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

Also said that I'd see a drop in my current speed on VF fibre because all my neighbours have signed up for siro.

Not a fan of that sales technique so said no thanks - I can always just sign up online when I want

When you say existing are you with Vodafone?
That sounds like €40 p/m so.
I wonder will other partners offer the same packages as Westnet
150/30 @ €45
350/70
1000/200

I wonder will there be much take up of siro. I have fttc and am getting 50/20 but speeds are always excellent. I am close to a cabinet though.

theShire

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

theShire wrote: »

Salesman at the door today in Ennis.
Existing customer so offer is free for 3months, 3months at reduced 40e and then 50/month for 12months.

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

Also said that I'd see a drop in my current speed on VF fibre because all my neighbours have signed up for siro.

Not a fan of that sales technique so said no thanks - I can always just sign up online when I want

When you say existing are you with Vodafone?

Yep, currently have VF fibre (fttc) and get ~40mb download most days although have had as little as 2/3 at one point a few months ago

Westnet: Paul

theShire wrote: »

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

If the network build is complete in your area, it's entirely likely. I just checked, and if I were to place an order for Castlebar, there are appointments available for next week.

theShire

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I wonder will there be much take up of siro. I have fttc and am getting 50/20 but speeds are always excellent. I am close to a cabinet though.

Showing me his list of addresses he told me he'd signed up most of the apartment blocks and about half of d houses.

I told him that's great, there'll be less using the fttc if they're all using siro!

theShire

Westnet: Paul wrote: »

theShire wrote: »

He said if I signed up today, it'd be installed next week (hard to believe)

If the network build is complete in your area, it's entirely likely. I just checked, and if I were to place an order for Castlebar, there are appointments available for next week.

Thanks for the info Paul, might be worth knowing for those signing up.

I seem to remember someone mention a "hockey stick" in d meter box to allow the cable to be pulled. I'm pretty sure that isn't there in mine.
Any idea how long installation could take if that isn't in place?

Tigerandahalf

theShire wrote: »

Showing me his list of addresses he told me he'd signed up most of the apartment blocks and about half of d houses.

I told him that's great, there'll be less using the fttc if they're all using siro!

You can't trust the salespeople. They'd tell you every sort of a lie to sign you up.

I think the 150mb packages are good value and would probably meet most people's need but the use of the internet is growing all the time and with a big household and the tv being streamed people would be tempted to go for the 350mb package.

It is great to see this stuff coming onstream.

How will they service the apt blocks? I presume they would have some sort of comms room and the wiring would go through all internal ducting? Maybe a cleaner job than a house.