Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Openreach reportedly plans a trial of customer-installed fibre modems
Openreach is reportedly planning a UK trial to see if customers can replace their own fibre modem during an upgrade.
The modem, called an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), connects the fibre cable to a home or office router.
The trial would cover about 200 upgrades from older Nokia ONTs to faster multi-gigabit service.
Customers would receive a replacement unit by post, potentially avoiding an engineer visit and lowering setup costs.
The trial will test whether customers can manage the swap safely, including fixing the unit to a wall and avoiding dirt in the connection.
A cable with little slack could also fail to reach the new unit, or be damaged if bent sharply.
The three-month trial is expected to begin before the end of 2026, if it goes ahead as reported.
Openreach is reportedly preparing a trial of customer-installed fibre modems for some existing fibre customers upgrading their service.
The trial would let customers replace an existing Optical Network Terminal (ONT) with a newer model instead of having an engineer do the work.
It is expected to involve about 200 orders and run for three months, according to TechRadar, citing ISPreview.
The trial is reportedly due to begin before the end of 2026 and would focus on customers moving from older Nokia ONTs to faster multi-gigabit service.
Potential problems include securing the new unit, keeping dirt out of its connection and avoiding damage to fibre cables.
- Who
- Openreach is reportedly planning the trial, with some UK fibre broadband customers installing their own ONTs.
- What
- A reported trial would test whether customers can replace an existing fibre modem themselves when upgrading their service.
- When
- It is expected to last three months and begin before the end of 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- To assess whether customers can handle the upgrade themselves and potentially reduce setup costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The reported three-month trial is expected to begin.
About 200 orders are expected to be included, involving upgrades from older Nokia ONTs to faster multi-gigabit service.
- Trial size
- About 200 orders
- Trial duration
- Three months
- Expected start
- Before the end of 2026
- Existing equipment
- Older Nokia ONTs
- Upgrade
- To faster multi-gigabit service