Can you connect your own router directly to a CityFibre ONT?

[OverDrive]

Hi all, I am considering moving to a CityFibre FTTP provider from Virgin Media. I am currently using a Netgear router connected to the VM hub in modem mode. Would it be the same configuration with a CityFibre provider? Or can I connect my router directly to the ONT? Ideally, I would like to just hook my router up directly.

I am presently considering Lit Fibre, IDNet and Vodafone. Although leaning away from Vodafone at the moment as I have read about the possibility of load balancing on the network increasing the latency at times.

 

[OverDrive]

As long as you have a compatible router (most these days are) you can connect it to the ONT. You then put your ISP details into your router's WAN settings.

Thank you. Are these details always provided to the end user?

I may take the opportunity to upgrade to a new Wi-Fi 6 router as mine is quite old now. Would something like the TP-Link AXE5400 (or similar) be suitable? What should I look for in the router spec?

 

[OverDrive]

Thank you. Lit using DHCP is convenient!

 

[OverDrive]

If they do go via ground, you’d have had them digging outside to put fibre in and a small box outside your house in the footpath, then it’s basically a spade in at an angle to lift the grass a few inches deep and then the cable goes in, not a 6” deep trench like VM - should - dig.

If it's an area that Lit Fibre built then it's likely to be PIA

I'm guessing it will be via the Openreach poles/overhead on the street. I have seen Openreach engineers up on the poles a few times recently. I'm guessing they are installing CityFibre lines or upgrading their own infrastructure? According to the Openreach website, we won't have Openreach FTTP until the end of 2025. I think most people in the neighbourhood are on VM cable as that has been the best option until CityFibre arrived last year. I can't imagine many have been using the old copper lines with ADSL with VM as an option.

 

[OverDrive]

You just need to be able to set a VLAN tag of 911 for City Fibre which you should be able to do on your Netgear

Is this for any City Fibre provider? Is it something that you do regardless of whether the provider needs credentials entered or uses DHCP?