Network operator Openreach (BT) has begun to pilot a new “Ruggedised” Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which is the optical modem that in a domestic installation of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based gigabit broadband ISP lines would normally be screwed to your inside wall. But this ONT is intended for “Uninhabitable Locations“.
The ONT / ONU or optical modem device is usually installed inside your home or office (wall hung), near to where the fibre optic 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 be connected to your broadband router via a Local Area Network (Ethernet) port. The standard ONT is usually a very small single port device, although Openreach do have a multi-port option too.
However, Openreach are about to begin piloting a new Ruggedised ONT modem, which will begin on 1st September 2024 and last for a full year. But this new device is primarily intended to help bring FTTP to “Uninhabitable Locations“, which really just means sites that aren’t a home or office/business and may be more exposed to the elements.
“The FTTP Uninhabitable Locations order journey has been developed to allow Communications Providers [ISPs] to provide FTTP connectivity to non-traditional end points such as CCTV cameras, bus shelter signs, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, lift lines, utility monitoring, etc,” said Openreach’s briefing.
Sites like those mentioned above might ordinarily be catered for by wireless solutions (e.g. 4G/5G small cells), but in some cases there may be a desire to use FTTP if the infrastructure is nearby – this requires an ONT that can cope with the worst of British weather. At the time of writing, we don’t yet have any pictures of what Nokia or ADTRAN might be offering for this (a request has been placed). But Openreach have probably just put a case around their existing ONT options.
The Pilot itself aims to confirm the viability of the new Uninhabitable Locations journey with Ruggedised ONT as well as confirm estimated costs to inform launch commercials. Speaking of costs, the connection charge to get one of these installed starts at £565 +vat and rises to £1,030, depending upon the type of install and service speed selected.
The high cost reflects the fact that this isn’t intended for the domestic market, and such installs may have unique considerations. But we can think of scenarios where complex home or office installs may also choose this in cases where the ONT needs to be installed on the exterior of their property.