Eircom to roll out 1Gb/s FTTH to 66 towns

godskitchen · 06-08-2015 06:58PM

As I have mentioned before, I have seen fttc cabs with batteries in them.....

mass_debater · 06-08-2015 07:00PM

godskitchen wrote: »

As I have mentioned before, I have seen fttc cabs with batteries in them.....

They're air conditioned, batteries are for that

godskitchen · 06-08-2015 07:21PM

Ah, ok, so they have individual little Ac units in each cab?

On topic, here is a revelant story http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/6/9109727/fcc-copper-transition-backup-power-requirement

bk · 06-08-2015 09:35PM

Just to point out, that while the fiber for FTTH might pass under the FTTC cabs, that FTTH doesn't actually make any use of the cabs! And in fact once everyone is on FTTH, we might end up seeing the FTTC cabs being removed.

FTTH doesn't have any active electrical components between the users house and the exchange. It is one of the advantages of FTTH, much simpler plant outside of the exchange.

So FTTC cabs having batteries or not is irrelevant.

bk · 06-08-2015 11:09PM

godskitchen wrote: »

On topic, here is a revelant story http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/6/9109727/fcc-copper-transition-backup-power-requirement

A more detailed article on the matter here: http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/08/fcc-urges-carriers-to-turn-off-copper-networks-upgrade-to-fiber/

I have to say I agree with almost everything that the FCC decided here and I hope Comreg follows their lead. All very practical.

The FCC decided that the ISP's must sell a battery backup as an option, but it isn't required. I think it would be fair for Comreg to follow that, but with one change, require the ISP to pay for and supply the battery backup for people on medical emergency alert systems. Elderly people who often use such systems can't afford extras like this.

One question is what would Eircom do for customers who have phone only, but aren't interested in broadband. Would Eircom still connect them to FTTH and VoIP and still only charge €25 per month?

dalta5billion · 06-08-2015 11:22PM

I understand that the ONT/router that B4RN supply in the UK has a battery backup, but any VoIP device would need its own power source. A PSTN copper line provides a small current to power your old landline phone - perhaps these medical devices use that power as well.

Avada · 06-08-2015 11:47PM

dalta5billion wrote: »

I understand that the ONT/router that B4RN supply in the UK has a battery backup, but any VoIP device would need its own power source. A PSTN copper line provides a small current to power your old landline phone - perhaps these medical devices use that power as well.

The medical alert systems have their own power and battery. Well the ones I have seen do anyway.

Avada · 06-08-2015 11:51PM

bk wrote: »

One question is what would Eircom do for customers who have phone only, but aren't interested in broadband. Would Eircom still connect them to FTTH and VoIP and still only charge €25 per month?

I suppose they would have to, but I don't really see it as being an issue in about 10 years time tbh. I would imagine, even now, that there are only a small percentage of customers on voice only. That will probably be eradicated by increased mobile phone coverage and a higher percentage of computer users.

Nollog · 07-08-2015 09:25AM

bk wrote: »

Just to point out, that while the fiber for FTTH might pass under the FTTC cabs, that FTTH doesn't actually make any use of the cabs! And in fact once everyone is on FTTH, we might end up seeing the FTTC cabs being removed.

FTTH doesn't have any active electrical components between the users house and the exchange. It is one of the advantages of FTTH, much simpler plant outside of the exchange.

So FTTC cabs having batteries or not is irrelevant.

I thought they'd have splitters or olts or something in them.

Are splitters easy to fit in ducts?

bk · 07-08-2015 10:50AM

/\/ollog wrote: »

I thought they'd have splitters or olts or something in them.

Are splitters easy to fit in ducts?

I don't think so, the OLT's sit in the exchange.

Obviously there is an ONT for the 4 fiber pairs that feed the cab, but I think the rest of the fiber simply passes under it.

The splitters are very small, not much larger then your wifi router! and require no power. They easily fit in duct chambers where the fibers split off in different directions.

There maybe be a splitter in or near the cab, but I don't think it is necessary.

ED E · 07-08-2015 11:03AM

The only active equipment is in the exchange and the house. Rest is all passive as BK has said. Splitter locations will be where its convenient to split to feed premises.

The reason I brought it up before was a PSTN line has 45-48v DC with a few mA of juice, enough to power a phone handset. So the entire area can lose mains and the phone will still function while the lights are out. A FIOS like UPS would solve that issue though.

Johnboy1951 · 07-08-2015 06:41PM

bk wrote: »

A more detailed article on the matter here: http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/08/fcc-urges-carriers-to-turn-off-copper-networks-upgrade-to-fiber/

I have to say I agree with almost everything that the FCC decided here and I hope Comreg follows their lead. All very practical.

The FCC decided that the ISP's must sell a battery backup as an option, but it isn't required. I think it would be fair for Comreg to follow that, but with one change, require the ISP to pay for and supply the battery backup for people on medical emergency alert systems. Elderly people who often use such systems can't afford extras like this.

One question is what would Eircom do for customers who have phone only, but aren't interested in broadband. Would Eircom still connect them to FTTH and VoIP and still only charge €25 per month?

It looks like it could be boom time for the likes of apc.com and others who can supply the new need for good reliable backup power.
http://www.apc.com/home/ie/en/

Maybe its getting near time to dig out those old UPS units and replace batteries

ED E · 08-08-2015 04:28PM

Comreg 1589 published yesterday is USO revision.

bk · 09-08-2015 01:44PM

ED E wrote: »

Comreg 1589 published yesterday is USO revision.

So I just took a quick look at that doc and very interesting.

As far as I understand it, even the current USO doesn't actually specify a particular technology (POTS) that needs to be used, it just specifies certain services that have to be delivered, voice (PSTN like with a local phone number, etc.), fax and data.

It says that even today it would probably be ok to deliver the USO obligations using broadband and managed VoIP, as long as you deliver reliable PSTN style voice, fax and data.

So I don't think there would be any issue from the USO perspective * to EIrcom replacing the copper with FTTH and delivering the same services over FTTH.

* I'm sure the likes of BT, etc. would still object due to it writting off their ADSL2+ LLU investment, etc.

The only wrinkle, is that Comreg says it needs to be affordable. So bundling it with broadband is ok, but it can't be the only option, I assume that means even if you use FTTH + VoIP, you still need to offer voice only services around the €25 mark.

So that is good news.

On the down side, it seems Eircom (and ALTO and UPC) are all suggesting that they want to deliver the USO obligations via mobile network!

Comreg says it is possible, but seems to be largely cold to that idea, saying it probably doesn't meet the quality of service requirements, etc.

This is all just me reading between the lines.

satguy · 09-08-2015 03:53PM

This cabinet in Portlaoise is only 100 meters from my home, and is the only blue dot cabinet at my end of the town.

Any chance I may get 1Gig FTTH soon ?

ED E · 09-08-2015 04:19PM

Wrong thread sat guy, that FTTC/eVDSL, look for the "direct to exchange" thread. KLM will likely do up to 70Mb soon.

Deagol · 10-08-2015 03:48PM

3 Eircom vans with road works signs etc, beside 'my' cabinet today. Looks like they have an air compressor or similar on a trailer. Does that sound like preliminary work for blowing of FTTH?

ED E · 10-08-2015 04:32PM

Deagol wrote: »

3 Eircom vans with road works signs etc, beside 'my' cabinet today. Looks like they have an air compressor or similar on a trailer. Does that sound like preliminary work for blowing of FTTH?

If the cab is already VDSL enabled then probably. Unless there are other local cabs to be done.

Capt'n Midnight · 12-08-2015 12:39AM

ED E wrote: »

@BK: Does a VOIP ATA with geographic numbers qualify for the USO? Could eircom wholesale force end users off PSTN loops to an optical based VOIP line?

Doesn't Fixed Cellular already qualify for USO ?

If so then the question was answered a long time ago.

Or look at the analog ports on "Hi Speed" ISDN and there's also carrier lines / pair gains , so plenty of precedent for customers not getting a dedicated copper pair.

bk · 12-08-2015 08:33AM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Doesn't Fixed Cellular already qualify for USO ?

True, I forgot about that, Eircom use a Fixed Wireless solution to reach a small number of extreme rural homes with a phone service.

ECO_Mental · 15-08-2015 12:33PM

Eircom working today on a Saturday in rochestown pulling fibre. Must be big push on, if they are giving them overtime to get the job done. A couple of crews as well.

What do ye reckon will we have it before Christmas?

PeadarB · 15-08-2015 02:44PM

MCS/KN pushing fine green sleeved fibre through ducts to house level at Errigal Road, Sliabh Sneacht area of Letterkenny yesterday. Still no answer to my query re FTTH from eircom via pole drops - getting seriously pissed off now and very tempted to move all over to Vodafone.

godskitchen · 15-08-2015 03:51PM

Eircom very busy in Castlebar and Westport pulling or pushing or terminating fibre.

Castlebar Credit union got a fttb connection this week, was talking to the two eircom lads doing the work. They didn't know when it would be turned on though, they were just connecting it up.

That particular Credit Union is pretty much sitting on a fttc cabinet. It's wasn't a big job running fibre to the building

SpaceTime · 15-08-2015 04:03PM

[cynicism]In time for Enda's General Election campaign [/cynicism]

joe_99 · 15-08-2015 10:25PM

PeadarB wrote: »

MCS/KN pushing fine green sleeved fibre through ducts to house level at Errigal Road, Sliabh Sneacht area of Letterkenny yesterday. Still no answer to my query re FTTH from eircom via pole drops - getting seriously pissed off now and very tempted to move all over to Vodafone.

Eircom will be servicing homes via poles. These are easy drops in most instances. They have served these drops in Wexford, Sandyford and Belcarra.

ECO_Mental · 15-08-2015 11:33PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

[cynicism]In time for Enda's General Election campaign [/cynicism]

Cool end of October then

PeadarB · 16-08-2015 02:15AM

joe_99 wrote: »

Eircom will be servicing homes via poles. These are easy drops in most instances. They have served these drops in Wexford, Sandyford and Belcarra.

Jesse I sure hope your right. There is absolutely no evidence yet that this option is on the menu. I sincerely hope your right but when two separate installers, one eircom and the other MCS suggest that I start digging and trench my own duct from house to the manhole you can understand my skepticism.:mad:

ro23 · 16-08-2015 09:45PM

joe_99 wrote: »

Eircom will be servicing homes via poles. These are easy drops in most instances. They have served these drops in Wexford, Sandyford and Belcarra.

If this is true it's great news. Fingers crossed.

KeRbDoG · 18-08-2015 10:19AM

It would be great to get some technical info on how those drops would be done

irishgeo · 18-08-2015 10:46AM

eircom vans in manor village estate castlebar today all the man holes open.

Eircom to roll out 1Gb/s FTTH to 66 towns

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