Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
In a potentially quite significant development. ISPreview has learnt that network operator Openreach (BT) are tentatively proposing to conduct a new Proof of Concept (PoC) trial, which in certain situations would allow end-customers to install their own Optical Network Terminal (ONT) on FTTP broadband lines and to also connect the PSU (power supply).
The ONT (or optical modem) device is usually installed inside your home or office, near to where the fibre optic broadband cable physically enters your property, and its primary job is simply to take the optical signal and convert it into an electrical one that can then be connected to your broadband router via an Ethernet (LAN/WAN) port. The standard ONT is usually a very small single port device for one FTTP line.
At present it is the engineer’s job to install a new ONT, which makes sense given the work and safety aspects involved (drilling, digging, handling an optical cable with laser light etc.). But sources have informed ISPreview that Openreach have begun exploring interest in a new Proof of Concept (PoC), which would enable customers to install the ONT when it only involves a Box Swap service (i.e. replacing an existing / older ONT with a new model).