topic Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre. in Fibre

Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:35:09 GMT

I currently have Sagecom FAST 5364 routers as main and acces point routers. I also have a telephone system. Both the broadband and telephone system are connected to an OpenReach Mk4 Master socket. My telephone system consists of a Panasonic KX-TG8561F base unit and 4 phones. I also have Talktalk Youview recordable set top TV boxes. for my TVs.

If I switch to fibre how can I ensure that everything will still work? What model of fibre router will I be provided with? My wife and I are 82 years old with health issues will I also be provided with a battery back up system as I believe the fibre broadband and VOIP telephone capability will be lost during power outages which we occasionally get in North East Scotland. I also use DLink power line connector/adapters will they still function correctly?

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:49:57 GMT

Hi @bobhossack

Whilst that router will work fine for the internet, it will not work with your phone. Depending on which Full Fibre package you are going to & which router they give you, it will all work fine. How it works can vary from router to router. To make life easy, you want to change the new router's network name & password to the same as your current router. That way, all Wi-Fi devices will connect straight away to the new router without needing any configuration changes..

If you let me know which router you get, I will be able to help you every step of the way.

The information below is provided by TalkTalk. For confirmation, please contact @Lorrainef, the manager of the TalkTalk support staff on this forum.

KeithFrench is one of our valued Community Stars and can help with a range of issues related to wireless and networking. At times, he may ask you to send him test results via a Private Message to help analyse/diagnose an issue. Although Keith does not work for TalkTalk, he very kindly shares his time and knowledge to help others.

If you need further help or if we need to take any details such as personal information about your account like phone numbers, account numbers, etc, one of the TalkTalk team will jump in and help out.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

fr8ys — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:12:04 GMT

You mention requiring a back-up facility.

If you have vulnerabilities have you registered as such with TalkTalk? Here is a link

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/Registering-your-accessibility-requirements/ta-p/2583020

When upgrading be specific that you require this facility and also stress you need a landline and to retain your existing number.

@KeithFrench is best placed to help you with router issues and help once you know which one you are being offered.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

siphosethu-TT — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:17:52 GMT

Your services should work and if required we usually will send a replacement, but should you have any issues you can just let us know and will have it looked into for you as soon as possible. Thanks

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

siphosethu-TT — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:21:09 GMT

From what you've stated also I think you should have this flagged on the account. The link @fr8ys provided should have all the information you need about our accessibility services. Thanks

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:29:06 GMT

Thanks Keith. I know that my existing router does not figure in my telephone network and that somehow I need my phone system to link up to the VOIP system via the new fibre router. I was just wondering if it would be straightforward to simply connect between a special phone socket on the router and the phone socket on my Openreach Mark 4 master socket.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

siphosethu-TT — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:37:41 GMT

You can discuss that with the better value team as they should know more about this and are the best to advise you on this. Perhaps you can have an additional package in place for the telephone or something. Thanks 😇

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Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:05:21 GMT

Hi @bobhossack

It is very simple. Now, instead of your router being provided over your phone line, the phone is provided over your router! You will have a small box installed inside your property called an ONT (Optical Network Termination). From there, an Ethernet cable connects to the router. If that router is a Wi-Fi Hub 2 or Hub 3, then your phone simply plugs into a Phone socket on the back of the router. If you end up with an eero router, then you will be provided with a second small box called a Grandstream DVA (Digital Voice Adapter). This connects to the other Ethernet port on the rear of the eero and your phone plugs into that. If you need any extra Ethernet ports, then you would have to purchase a small Gigabit switch.

If you can go for either of the Wi-Fi Hubs, that will be the simplest solution.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

Gliwmaeden2 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:45:12 GMT

Just make sure that VOIP is specifically included in your order at the time of ordering full fibre, @bobhossack.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:51:34 GMT

Instead of plugging the Panasonic phone base into the router I would like to plug the router phone outlet directly into the Openreach Mark 4 master socket phone connection because my router is located in my basement alongside the master socket where there are plenty of power sockets for my 4 D Link connectors. My panasonic phone base unit connects into a phone socket in the kitchen upstairs. I live in a 3 storey house and there is a double concrete block wall which separates the original building from a 3 story extension. That is why I use a second router as an access point in the extension to be able to get sufficient wifi coverage and links to two desktop computers and 3 talktalk television recording set top boxes throughout the house. My office is also in the basement in a separate room which is part of the building extension. I do not think wifi hubs would be give sufficient coverage and the TV set top boxes require cable connections.

Nothing easy is it?

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:19:51 GMT

hanks again Keith

Nothing easy is it?

I have sketched out my existing situation and included it as an attachment.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:35:16 GMT

Hi @bobhossack

Your Openreach Mark 4 master socket will be dead after the work is completed. The Phone port on the back of the router will now behave as the master socket.

The WiFi hubs can work with an excellent product - the Sagemcom WiFi Booster. Do not let the name fool you; it combines with the Wi-Fi hub to form a mesh network. Extra boosters can be added to create extra mesh nodes. These nodes all support WiFi 6 and if the WiFi Hub 3 is used, this also, supports WiFi 6, whereas the Hub 2 is only WiFi 5.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:42:31 GMT

Hi Keith I have sketched the situation in my house. I do not think the wifi mesh system would be appropriate. What do you think?

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:46:54 GMT

I did see that on your other post. It is impossible to say really. You can connect them together via Ethernet if required, but all this is in the future, let's wait & see what you get.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:08:28 GMT

Thanks Keith.

Yes but I do not think a wifi network would do it. It took me ages to set the system up so that I get everything I need and it relies on D Link adapter/connectors to achieve it.

Regards

Bob

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:11:27 GMT

Maybe it won't, but there is nothing I can do until you get the new router. If a Sagemcom WiFi Hub 2 or 3, they both have four Ethernet ports.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:13:20 GMT

Hi again Keith

Forgot to ask if you managed to open the sketch I attached. In the sketch I omitted to mark that there are also concrete walls in the basement between utilty room. cinema room and office.

Regards

B ob

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:18:22 GMT

Can I say to talktalk that only a Sagem 4 port router will do?

Regards

Bob

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

KeithFrench — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:44:26 GMT

Hi @bobhossack

Yes, I was able to open it, thanks. The router that you get will depend on which Full Fibre package you are going for.

Re: Will my existing equipment work properly if I switch from copper to fibre.

bobhossack — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:04:08 GMT

Do you know which package would ensure a 4 port hub/router?