Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Unusual, but this appears to be a problematic month at the TPipe residence......:(
Two years ago on seeing that our community were installing fibre-optic lines, we arranged with Orange - our internet provider, to be connected to the network. Two young 'technicians' arrived to perform the connection.Unfortunately they didn't achieve the task.
Another attempt this week by an Orange recommended technician - who seemed more of a pro, spending far more time than the previous team, unfortunately also failed to pinpoint the underground telecom ducting, which I learn doesn't appear unusual with villa constructions exceeding 18 years or more. We've been advised to recontact Orange to advise on a company to precisely locate the exterior ducting.
Anyone have similar difficulties with fibre-optic connection and if so how it was resolved?

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

No idea about the technicalities, but I succombed to the Orange fellow's gift of the gab, forgetting that I was the only one in the house using a computer and realizing too late that the monthly costs would rise, without any advantage to myself. Since I was already considering moving from my remote village house in the near future, I sent Orange a letter of retraction the next day.
The Linky agent was similarly endowed with the gift of the gab and I managed to resist signing anything on the spot. I eventually did sign, but only after discussions with the neighbours.
A word of advice to Oldies living on your own, don't sign anything on the spot, however persuasive the utility agent is!;)

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

DMU,
Thanks for the feedback. Good advise to others about never signing anything on the spot. I always do loads of research beforehand, reading up and watching reviews on YTube etc on the service or commodity of interest. Then if it's something that has to be installed, I make a shortlist and get 3 different estimates. This is where the research comes in useful as the cheapest quote is not necessarily the most cheeful, and conversely the highest not always the best.
Found THIS Site which answers a number of our queries, and have a guy coming next week to give some advise. If required I'll go for the Basic Option which covers the diagnostic plus work required.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

I have a similar problem with an apartment I inherited from my father. I can't switch the account to my name as his tariff (and he) is no longer extant, so I arranged a new fibre connection and an internet only tariff that was at a reasonable cost. The guy couldn't get past a blockage in the conduit in the common part of the building, they came back and tried again without success. I'm reluctant to get someone to dig into the wall in the common areas, and the management company don't seem to be keen on coordinating efforts to renew 40 year old conduit, I appear to be the only person that's tried.
I think if you have an old connection you have to assume you will have to replace the conduit, either with a new trench if it's a house, or a lot of plasterwork in an apartment building.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

It doesn't answer your query but the link below may clarify connecting within an apartment complex.
https://lafibre.info/installation-fi...r-appartement/

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

The copper network in France is expected to replaced with fibre by 2030, see Passage au Très haut débit : la fin de l'ADSL au profit de la fibre optique and an English language press release from Orange.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Our (copper fed) internet has been unreliable for years and when talk of fibre started to gain traction we were very interested, as long as the price doesn't go through the roof. We don't stream TV or movies so speed isn't a priority but reliability is. More than once we have been in the middle of bank or currency exchange transactions and the internet dies. The roads all around our area (central dept 22) were disrupted for most of last summer by fibre cabling operations but no information yet available concerning when anyone can get connected to it. Not even a hint of salesmen banging on the door yet but one thing is certain. They will promise the earth but delivery is going to be a lottery. The thing to ask when they approach with the hard sell, "Can you give me a written guarantee quoting speed and continuity of service?" Then roll the dice.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Unsure who your internet service provider is, but the link below gives some info on installations in Department 22.
https://fibre.guide/eligibilite/cotes-darmor

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Unsure who your internet service provider is, but the link below gives some info on installations in Department 22.
https://fibre.guide/eligibilite/cotes-darmor
Just had a thought about your unreliable internet connection. Sometimes when an Orange LiveBox (or similar from another operator) has not been renewed (or reset performed) in years, that can be the problem. Maybe worthwhile speaking to your service provider who may propose a newer, more reliable 'box'. Or hold out until 2026 and go Fibre.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

I thank you for the link. I am with Sosh (Orange) at the moment. Plenty of offers for fibre if it ever arrives here but although the cable has been installed to a junction point across the road it is not yet live. The availability chart given in your link shows the house across the road already has it. BOGUS, The house has been empty for several years and there is no phone connected.
My only option from Orange apart from fibre (ha ha ha) is either over the mobile network or an expensive satellite setup. Although they claim coverage here for the mobile there is not network coverage here. Again, BOGUS availability. We have to use "wifi calling" to get security codes by SMS over the internet to access our bank account. We truly live in a black hole here, not just between mid day and 2pm.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Morning!
If you don’t steam and you really just need the internet for browsing and receiving security codes, how about just getting a mobile package with plenty of mobile data allowance? I pay €19.99 a month to Free. It’s been the same price for years.
I get 350 gigabytes per month, which is absolutely masses. Way way beyond what I actually use (and I’m on the internet alot, including listening to dramas on Radio 4 at night before I fall asleep).
I’m frequently in the UK and it works really well there too. I can call UK landlines as part of the package.
I’m just back from the wilds of eastern Turkey where my allowance was reduced to 35 gigabytes per month. I used the phone constantly to find our way around with Google Maps and again for listening to plays a night. Yet in the whole week I only used 2 gigabytes.

Might that be a solution?

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Thankyou for your response, but its not a solution. As I state above, there is no mobile network coverage here so a mobile phone is not the answer. The only way I can receive SMS codes at home is using a mobile that does something called "wifi calling". This system receives the data that is usually sent over a mobile phone network (the towers) over the copper internet lines to my router. The only way to receive SMS codes sent by a bank or other entity is to use a mobile phone. At first I only had a cheapo mobile that didn't work over the internet at all. I would begin my transaction on the PC and then grab the mobile and get into the car to go up the hill to pick up a signal then go back home to input the received code. Many times the transaction had timed out because I couldn't get back quick enough. A complaint to Orange resulted in them selling me a device called a "femtocell" that would route my mobile traffic over the internet to be picked up by my router. That worked fine for about 18 months until they no longer maintained the service. Then my only option was to buy a much more expensive phone that does this "wifi calling" thing over the router.
I am not one of the new breed that has a mobile permanently within reach and the one we have is usually only switched on when expecting to receive a security code. It never leaves the house and I would never trust such a vulnerable device with any bank details or financial transaction. My only concern for the moment is the threat of the copper ADSL lines being phased out with no affordable replacement being offered. It is unreliable at best and I have little confidence that fibre (if it ever arrives) will be better in that respect.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Sorry, missed the bit about no mobile coverage.

I share your concerns about receiving security codes on the mobile. Much prefer the card reader system that my Nationwide building society uses.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

I also have the Nationwide card reader and feel confident it is a good system. Security codes for online payment systems and my French bank are becoming a pain.
Happy Easter.

Re: Internet fibre-optic connection difficulties
 

Happy Easter everyone.
4-day weekend here so I’m still in bed with coffee & toast. What luxury xxx