Fibre Connectivity for Internet - Slowness Problems

[Photoguy21]

If you have ever considered why your fibre internet is slower than you would expect maybe I have the answer.

Recently I was passing where fibre cables were being installed. A mass of cable was on the floor in the figure 8 configuration which reduces the stress in the cable to the minimum.

Watching as I walked the guy in charge of the installation walked right over the cable, shortly after a motor bike drove over it. Either of these activities will provide distortion to a fibre cable. I pointed this out, in Thai, to the man in charge who was slightly taken back as he did not know this.

It does account thought for any slowness in your network. The supervisor was not aware and I don't blame the people doing the installation. They are not adequately trained for the installation of such cables so you cant expect them to know what they should and should not do.

The point is if your connection is slower than expected it could be due to people walking on the cable.

[metisdead]

Moved to the IT and Computers forum. 

[recom273]

They should know this, most installers study 3 years telecoms courses at tech college, I used to teach them and they all went on to be fibre installers.

 

Not saying that wasn't the way in the past, or that nepotism / money doesn't get people into supervisory roles that they shouldn't be in. In general the industry has come along a long way since the introduction of FTTH.

 

Sometimes the guys just do the best they can, what do you expect? their fusion splicers probably need calibration or cleaning, the environmental factors are never stable - cleavers that are kicking around in dusty bags - the fitters work to the maximum permitted tolerances suggested by cable manufacturers, TiT innit.

 

 

[Photoguy21]

53 minutes ago, recom273 said:

They should know this, most installers study 3 years telecoms courses at tech college, I used to teach them and they all went on to be fibre installers.

 

Not saying that wasn't the way in the past, or that nepotism / money doesn't get people into supervisory roles that they shouldn't be in. In general the industry has come along a long way since the introduction of FTTH.

 

Sometimes the guys just do the best they can, what do you expect? their fusion splicers probably need calibration or cleaning, the environmental factors are never stable - cleavers that are kicking around in dusty bags - the fitters work to the maximum permitted tolerances suggested by cable manufacturers, TiT innit.

 

 

The guys do, do the best they can with the knowledge they have but it isn't up to standard. I am sure most of the guys would really enjoy learning about fibre cable and how to install it. I don't blame the guys who are carrying out the installation I blame the companies for not properly training them

[retiree]

Not clear to me that ordinary rough treatment -- aside from being stretched or intentionally kinked -- is a problem.   See:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/e7h25x/how_fragile_is_fibre_optic/?sort=old

https://www.ecmag.com/section/systems/fiber-tougher-you-think 

Fiber optic cables are designed to withstand crushing forces. The soft jacket and padding provided by the strength members protect the fibers. Fiber optic cables are used under carpets in casinos where money carts are regularly pushed over them. 

 

I'd check the "attainable rate" and related stats in the router / modem (not the online speed test) before blaming the fiber.  I would also guess that most sites use xDSL, which is fiber from street to building, then existing phone wire internally.   This will be limited by wire length and quality; i.e. the last 100 meters probably determines what you get. 

 

[transam]

Who are you with...?

[Photoguy21]

51 minutes ago, retiree said:

Not clear to me that ordinary rough treatment -- aside from being stretched or intentionally kinked -- is a problem.   See:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/e7h25x/how_fragile_is_fibre_optic/?sort=old

https://www.ecmag.com/section/systems/fiber-tougher-you-think 

Fiber optic cables are designed to withstand crushing forces. The soft jacket and padding provided by the strength members protect the fibers. Fiber optic cables are used under carpets in casinos where money carts are regularly pushed over them. 

 

I'd check the "attainable rate" and related stats in the router / modem (not the online speed test) before blaming the fiber.  I would also guess that most sites use xDSL, which is fiber from street to building, then existing phone wire internally.   This will be limited by wire length and quality; i.e. the last 100 meters probably determines what you get. 

 

It probably wouldn't be something you consider but as a Telecommunications Consultant it is something I take notice of. After installation an OTDR test should be made on every fibre within the cable but I doubt if that is always performed. I am not blaming the fibre as the sole reason there are many but they would be outside of a discussion like this.

No the last 100m doesn't determine it at all, it is the condition of the fibres in the cable, the quality of connections and splices if applicable.

Edited August 11, 2022 by Photoguy21

[topt]

3 hours ago, retiree said:

I would also guess that most sites use xDSL, which is fiber from street to building, then existing phone wire internally.   

Not to individual homes - or certainly not the ones I have seen and experienced.

However the installer didn't make a very good job on my current set up and ended up with 2 connectors in the space of a meter or so to tidy up the cable. Was not impressed ????

[Photoguy21]

5 minutes ago, topt said:

Not to individual homes - or certainly not the ones I have seen and experienced.

However the installer didn't make a very good job on my current set up and ended up with 2 connectors in the space of a meter or so to tidy up the cable. Was not impressed ????

2 connections in such a short space is not acceptable. It just shows the poor quality of workmanship. Not the person who installed it at fault but the lack of training he received from the company.