Is a double socket really necessary?

[goosehead36]

I am having full fibre installed next month. The Openreach email I received says you need a double socket for the ONT and router. Unfortunately all my double sockets are on the other side of the room and it will be difficult and expensive to put in more sockets (solid concrete floor). Any new sockets would have to be at the end of a cable tacked to the skirting board.  At the moment I am using a mains extension cable to plug in my current router and desktop pc. Could I do the same thing for the EE installation? I would need a 10 metre surge-protected extension lead to plug in both the ONT and the router. How strict are Openreach about having a double socket? All advice appreciated. Thanks.

Alan F.

[jak26]

It doesnt literally have to be a wall mounted double socket - an extension lead works well enough. The other option is that the router doesnt have to be next to the ONT - the ethernet cable can be as long as necessary to reach the router. The siting of the ONT is something to discuss on installation day - for instance near the master socket or somewhere else near a power socket. The siting of the router is also important - from the perspective of the Wifi signal or - likely a better option - an ethernet cable to a PC.

[JimM11]

@goosehead36 It's unfortunate, EE supply only a 2 metre RJ45 Ethernet cable to connect the ONT to the new EE Hub. Where ever the new Fibre and ONT gets installed in your home it will need a power connection to power the ONT up, but as the previous reply goes. need the hub next to your PC and the ONT is not close, then you will need a longer Ethernet to get the two devices connected. The Fibre run is just not as flexible as an old Telephone cable and the installation team just may not agree with where you would like the ONT to be positioned, that is determined on the day off installation.....

I took care of mine by running an Ethernet cable between the ONT-Hub, and fitting the ONT up in the dormer space with a power socket mounted all for OR to do, the second installation team from OR where happy to do, but the contractor from OR first person would not, caused a 21 day delay for that reason, so be aware it's all on the day with all the time constraint's etc. 

[jak26]

The CSP will  prob go according to the exterior fibre run from duct or pole, but looking around at different installations it seems quite possible to ask for the interior fibre to be run (usually externally) to enter at another room on the same floor or the floor above if that's where the PC and ISP router happen to be - though generally on the same side of the house. I'd had ethernet cable put in - not a major job - so the ONT just went near the master socket plus more ethernet from ISP router to another WIFI AP + LAN sockets where actually needed - I think better than mesh installations as WIFI signal issues seem among the most common grumbles on forum posts.