BT Broadband Upgrade ...

[Manoverboard]

I mainly use a Windows PC to connect wi t'internet, there is a Router betwixt the PC and one's BT Socket. The connections on my router relate to the 13amp plug, BT’s MicroFilter plus an Ethernet connection. All very straightforward. But ...

BT have just advised me that they are going to upgrade one’s Broadband service from ye olde copper wire to that of Optic Fibre and at no additional cost

I am presently reading the installation OpDoc and have arrived at the part that describes a potential need to press one’s WPS Button on the Router, fine I can see that button, and on one’s PC ( not so fine cos I can't ).

So ...

What, does anybody know, is a WPS Button and where would one find it ?

Please

[Meg 50]

have you googled it?

it might be as simple as a reboot straight after so the comp knows to look for a new connection. That seems to be what TVs and visiting phones do to find wi-fi

[Quizzical Bob]

GIYF

There isn’t an equivalent button on your PC. I assume that your PC is connected to your router by WiFi? The WPS button is there to enable you to connect to the new network. If you are using a wired link then there is no need for security.

https://help.brinkshome.com/hc/en-us/ar ... rk-Camera-

[Manoverboard]

GIYF

There isn’t an equivalent button on your PC. I assume that your PC is connected to your router by WiFi? The WPS button is there to enable you to connect to the new network. If you are using a wired link then there is no need for security.

https://help.brinkshome.com/hc/en-us/ar ... rk-Camera-

The PC is connected to the router by an Ethernet cable.

Mobietta's Tablet is connected via WiFi. ( She hasn't spotted a button )

The TV is also WiFi, and far too ' Smart ' for it's own good. We don't use Netflix 'n' Chums but it still requires the router password on set-up. I haven't so far checked the settings on the TV for a WPS reference.
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[Manoverboard]

have you googled it?

it might be as simple as a reboot straight after so the comp knows to look for a new connection. That seems to be what TVs and visiting phones do to find wi-fi

I did but I was none the wiser cos it introduced other references that simply confused the issue

[david63]

The purpose of the WPS is to facilitate connecting a device to the router without entering the password but both devices have to be in WPS mode at the same time - and it normally only stays live for about a minute.

Not all devices have a "button" to press - sometimes it is a button to click when you request to join a network. Most current versions of software will have the option (if you look for it)

[Manoverboard]

Reading the replies, links and the BT blurb it seems that I should do the following - ish ...

1. Connect the Hub to the PC and assume that it will work ok because it is a fixed Ethernet connection.

2. Watch the Hub to see if the WPS Button flashes, if it does I will assume that it has located something it wants to talk to.

If it has located the main TV ( but how could I possibly know ) I would need to morph to where it is in time to select one's new BT Hub via the TV Settings Menu. It is actually two minutes but it cannot be done so I am now thinking along the lines of ignoring the flashing button, else pressing it, and then toddling off without breaking my neck to the TV and manually selecting the new Hub and adding its Password.

** WPS is a waste of time apart from moveable devices like phones if the above is a true reflection of what needs doing.

I will assume that I will need to do the same on Mobietta’s Tablet.

So ...

Have I got this right or have I missed something, please ?
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[david63]

Have I got this right

More or less. The WPS should only flash on the router if you, or someone else, has pressed it.

And yes you are 100% correct in that you can do it all manually and totally ignore WPS.

One bit I found interesting was

upgrade one’s Broadband service from ye olde copper wire to that of Optic Fibre

Does that mean that you have had a man with a spade digging up one's garden to lay a fibre cable - if not then you will be no better off than you were before the "upgrade"

[Stephen]

I'm with Sky.......at the moment.

The WPS button is clearly shown in the middle of other buttons on the router.

[Manoverboard]

Have I got this right

More or less. The WPS should only flash on the router if you, or someone else, has pressed it.

And yes you are 100% correct in that you can do it all manually and totally ignore WPS.

One bit I found interesting was

upgrade one’s Broadband service from ye olde copper wire to that of Optic Fibre

Does that mean that you have had a man with a spade digging up one's garden to lay a fibre cable - if not then you will be no better off than you were before the "upgrade"

Thanks for the heads up David

Fibre Optic wise ... as far as I know there will be some titting about in one's local exchange rather than me waving at some feller with a spade to get off my bl**dy lawn but only time will tell on that one. They'll have to be a bit nippy though cos the switchover day is rapidly approaching. BT have advised in writing that one's speed will be at least three times faster than it is now but that they will be providing the actual speed post switchover day.

ps ....

We already have a BT connection with shielding etc coming from under the ground fixed to one's front wall so maybe they will be pulling a fibre optic cable though to that from an under-the-road type secret cavern ?


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[Stephen]

Promised speed. Take with a pinch of salt.

I'm still tempted to move from Sky to Zen as the reviews are very good with a fixed lifetime price. It's all the faffing about letting everyone know your new email address that's a bit off putting. And you can guarantee you'll have missed someone important out.

[Manoverboard]

Promised speed. Take with a pinch of salt.

I'm still tempted to move from Sky to Zen as the reviews are very good with a fixed lifetime price. It's all the faffing about letting everyone know your new email address that's a bit off putting. And you can guarantee you'll have missed someone important out.

With BT we've had very good Broadband speeds from day 1 so have no reason to doubt them on their latest promise.

[Quizzical Bob]

Promised speed. Take with a pinch of salt.

I'm still tempted to move from Sky to Zen as the reviews are very good with a fixed lifetime price. It's all the faffing about letting everyone know your new email address that's a bit off putting. And you can guarantee you'll have missed someone important out.

With BT we've had very good Broadband speeds from day 1 so have no reason to doubt them on their latest promise.

If you’re connected tip-off the router by cable then you can do it manually. Choose your own wireless password and type that into the router’s settings. Then enter that password manually on every device that you wish to connect to the wireless network.

At least it is straightforward. I have spent the whole afternoon trying to reset the passwords on my CCTV cameras just so that I can log into one and adjust its white balance. It’s not essential but it irritates me and once I start on something I never give up.

[Manoverboard]

I think that I am now up to speed regarding the installation issues, many thanks y’all

Moving on .... a couple of other thoughts are with me this morning, any ideas or should I be asking BT ?

Given that fibre optic cables have been around for maybe fourty years could it be the case that when the copper wires were routed to one’s property that fibre optic cables were laid alongside pending a switchover at a later date ?

and ....

When fibre optic cable are laid / connected can the full installation by Open-reach, or whoever, be achieved from outside the property or is there a need to enter the house ?
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[david63]

Given that fibre optic cables have been around for maybe fourty years could it be the case that when the copper wires were routed to one’s property that fibre optic cables were laid alongside pending a switchover at a later date ?

Unlikely as (a) the technology was not that advanced 40 years ago and (b) 40 years ago fibre was prohibitorily expensive.

I would also add that fibre cables would take a different route than copper. Copper cables will bend - fibre need to be in a straighter line.

When fibre optic cable are laid / connected can the full installation by Open-reach, or whoever, be achieved from outside the property or is there a need to enter the house ?

Almost certainly need access to the property as the termination block is inside the house and is of different type.

[Manoverboard]

When fibre optic cable are laid / connected can the full installation by Open-reach, or whoever, be achieved from outside the property or is there a need to enter the house ?

Almost certainly need access to the property as the termination block is inside the house and is of different type.

Hmm ... I was concerned that could be the case. We will just have to stick with the copper wires.

Strange that BT are even considering their initiative in a middle of a pandemic but I guess it's been years in the planning.

[cruisin_duo]

Had fibre optic installed a while ago, and yes BT engineer had to come in and alter internal box. They Also had to visit a junction box in another road. The cables here are all underground, and definitely no digging required for us.

[Manoverboard]

Had fibre optic installed a while ago, and yes BT engineer had to come in and alter internal box. They Also had to visit a junction box in another road. The cables here are all underground, and definitely no digging required for us.

Many thanks, that seems to be the clincher given that your set up probably mirrors our own

[towny44]

When fibre optic cable are laid / connected can the full installation by Open-reach, or whoever, be achieved from outside the property or is there a need to enter the house ?

Almost certainly need access to the property as the termination block is inside the house and is of different type.

Hmm ... I was concerned that could be the case. We will just have to stick with the copper wires.

Strange that BT are even considering their initiative in a middle of a pandemic but I guess it's been years in the planning.

Is this something that Openreach are intending doing nationwide? We already have superfast fibre, but on;y to the BT cabinet somewhere outside, the final stretch is still overhead copper cables from the telegraph pole. This give me more than adequate 35-45 mg (measured on my smart phone via wi-fi), what sort of increase does this final fibre optic to the house achieve?

[david63]

what sort of increase does this final fibre optic to the house achieve?

Massive - probably three or four times the speed if the whole network is fibre. Whether the average household actually needs that level of speed is another question.

[Manoverboard]

Is this something that Openreach are intending doing nationwide? We already have superfast fibre, but on;y to the BT cabinet somewhere outside, the final stretch is still overhead copper cables from the telegraph pole. This give me more than adequate 35-45 mg (measured on my smart phone via wi-fi), what sort of increase does this final fibre optic to the house achieve?

I have absolutely no idea but a local from these ere parts reckons it could be an initiative by Dorset County Council, in conjunction with BT, to bring more home based businesses into the County at a time when London based preferences could be being revised ... as per the Tory Manifesto ?

[Manoverboard]

what sort of increase does this final fibre optic to the house achieve?

Massive - probably three or four times the speed if the whole network is fibre. Whether the average household actually needs that level of speed is another question.

Indeedee, that's another consideration for me.

We do all the usual t'internet stuff and an occasional download courtesy of SKY but that’s about it. I have never downloaded a Box Set, film or even a game of footy nor watched footy or a film on Prime / Netflix etc.

I don’t really need it do I but BT say I’m going to have or my existing service will decline

[Manoverboard]

Having had one too many letters from BT implying that if I didn't get a move on etc ...

I decided to phone them this morning and had a long chat with a very helpful lady who confirmed that their engineer would need to enter the property to complete the installation. Given our lockdown status I instructed them to put the order on indefinite hold until such works can be completed safely and with our agreement. No problem but we will of course have to wait a while for our free upgrade. What I did think was a tad remiss on BT’s part is that the pandemic doesn’t get a mention on any of their letters nor the Help Desk Phone Line.

Thanks for all your help along the way but I do still plan to put it to good use, albeit at a later date.

[cruisin_duo]

Perfectly understandable Moby. Hopefully, if and when you are able to upgrade, you will be as pleased as we are with the speed we get now. Keep safe.

[Manoverboard]

Latest update ....

As the switchover date got ever closer ( tomorrow ) and BT's letters more threatening, like losing one's Broadband, and their Help Desk still giving me conflicting advice I decided that we have to have an Internet Service to be able to eat let alone a myriad of other things so this afternoon I reluctantly plugged it in and successfully installed it. Upon completion the Hub Manager software advised that it would automatically switch over at midnight and that some disruption to service may be experienced tomorrow but still no mention of a need for access.

Perhaps I should insist on the engineer wearing a face mask etc and to present a one day old test certificate but now is not the moment to be awkward.