Full Fibre/Eero router - advice please?

[kwilsaint]

My current TalkTalk contract is 'Fibre 150' and it ends in a couple of months.

For the same price, I understand TalkTalk is now offering 'Full Fibre 150' and I'm at the moment considering this. I have a few queries, though:

FULL FIBRE:

 1. Is this true 'fibre to the premises' (FFTP) and not just marketing-speak?

2. Will it require someone to come to my home and make some 'adjustments' for 'full fibre' to work?

 EERO ROUTER:

 1. Does this require access to a Smart Phone app and if so, why?

2.  I prefer to be online on my Desktop computer (Windows operating system) for lots of good reasons.

 Can the 'Eero' simply operate the same as my current TalkTalk router on my Desktop without any need for Smart Phone app?

I'd appreciate any help or suggestions, especially from anyone who's already switched from Fibre 150 to Full Fibre.

Many thanks

[DJI_MINI_2_SE]

"All I use is the TalkTalk Sagemcom router with a G-Fast Modem on standard  'Fibre 150' ie NOT Full Fibre"

My bad i didn't know there was a 150 non full fibre package that's why i asked what you had used before thinking you had FF and it had gone wrong.

I will butt out know and let those that know what they are talking about help you  😉

[KeithFrench]

Hi @kwilsaint 

My statement about Bluetooth BLE is straight from eero's website:-

https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001728046-What-is-required-to-setup-eero 

I did say back in post #3:-

If this is not going to work for you, it might be possible to request TalkTalk supply a Sagemcom WiFi Hub 2, but it is not the correct router for your package.

[kwilsaint]

Hi DJI....thanks for replying. Couple of comments:

1. 'All it needs to do is run the eero app...'...Problem  from my reading of things is that  you need Android 9 version which my phone doesn't have and all updates for it are no longer supplied.

Also , I need BLE bluetooth...I don't have that either... just a previous version of bluetooth which apparently won't work according to Keith French above

2 You ask: 'What have you been using so far':

I take it you mean my 'normal' online connection?

All I use is the TalkTalk Sagemcom router with a G-Fast Modem on standard  'Fibre 150' ie NOT Full Fibre!

In other words, straightforward stuff with no problems and consistent speed over the contract term as I've said

Full Fibre 150 on the face of it would be a step up, but at the moment doesn't look like it's going to work for me.

Clearly, Full Fibre to the premises is the way forward and I'm sure, when it works (!), it will be an improvement.

Right now, though, as long as I can get 'standard 150' either by staying with TalkTalk or switching to Sky or Vodafone, my needs are being met.

My original post did say I was 'considering' moving to Full Fibre, but that was strictly down to it being exactly the same TT price as a new contract of standard Fibre 150.

That said, thanks to your good self and others I'm much more clued in to full fibre and no doubt will embrace it at some point.

At least I've a couple of months or so to make up my mind, so I'm glad I posted my queries in advance.

One of the reasons I've stayed with TT is that, from its inception many moons ago, it was the first to have a forum for addressing any problems with the service. Now all the others seem to have followed suit....

Thanks again for your time, dji...

[Billx]

No, no specific requirements for the Desktop computer.

All settings and maintenance of your Eero network would be done via your chosen mobile phone and the Eero mobile phone app, rather than via your browser in the Desktop computer.

Bill

[Gliwmaeden2]

03451 720088 is free from your landline, @kwilsaint, but not open on Sundays. It's the same number as everything else, but you need to speak to the Loyalty team  / Retentions. Contracts can't be fixed up via the forum. 

See full opening hours near the bottom of this page:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/How-to-contact-TalkTalk-Broadband/ta-p/2230529

[DJI_MINI_2_SE]

"However, looks like my current Smartphone doesn't have all the requirements, so I may have to dismiss 'eero' after all"

All it needs to do is run the eero app see new video below - 

"My current TalkTalk contract is 'Fibre 150' and it ends in a couple of months"

What have you been using so far?

https://youtu.be/lA9coi29XaM?feature=shared&t=29

[kwilsaint]

Hi all, many thanks to all for taking time to reply and making things clear.

For 'dji: mini' - special thanks for the YTube link! Who'd want to live in Coronation St anyway!😀

However, looks like my current Smartphone doesn't have all the requirements, so I may have to dismiss 'eero' after all!!🙁

Something tells me TalkTalk won't buy me a new phone if I take out a new contract (!!), though since I've been with them for many years (mostly without incident) they owe me!!😁

Have to say, though,  I'm a little concerned a fair number of Forum members aren't best pleased with  'eero'.

That said, if I stay with TT, then there'll have to be some negotiation on price for them to hold my very loyal custom.

Just done a quick check: Sky & Vodafone are outmatching TT on price for the same Fibre 150.

In all honesty, my current setup is acceptable for the moment and has been consistent on speed etc over this 18-month contract which, as I've said, ends in a couple of months or so.

For the right sensible price, then, I'd be happy just to continue with TalkTalk  on Fibre 150 on a new contract.

So might be best for me to see how things settle before committing to a new phone just to accommodate 'eero'!!😎

Final point: I've never had to use it, but I believe there's a TalkTalk 'loyalty number' I can ring and have a 'chat about leaving'.

Can't see it anywhere at the moment but am I right in thinking it's free from my TalkTalk landline: yes/no?

Anyhow, whatever I decide, thanks again to you all for setting things straight for me. Much appreciated.

Regards

[kwilsaint]

Hi Billx...thanks for the reply.

Just a small point: for all 'this' to work, are there specific requirements for a Desktop computer running Windows?

Thanks

[DJI_MINI_2_SE]

---

@kwilsaint wrote:

2. Will it require someone to come to my home and make some 'adjustments' for 'full fibre' to work?

 EERO ROUTER:

 1. Does this require access to a Smart Phone app and if so, why?

2.  I prefer to be online on my Desktop computer (Windows operating system) for lots of good reasons.

 Can the 'Eero' simply operate the same as my current TalkTalk router on my Desktop without any need for Smart Phone app?

---

When the engineer visits he will ask you where you want the cable to enter the house i wanted mine high up as i already had a shelf to put the modem on near a double socket, he said no problem in having it there and my set up (external) is very similar to the one in the picture below 

(This in not my house and i don't live in coronation Street)  😉

The only thing you will see inside your house is the small ONT pictured below - 

As has been said above you do need a smart phone but its only to set the eero up,  once everything is up and running you don't really need to bother with it but i can guarantee you will its really easy to use and the amount of info you can see is amazing, don't be put off by the eero having to use an app you can use it as much or as little as you like.

Watch the video below it explains the set up process -  

https://youtu.be/B1pv8bMfEtA?feature=shared&t=91

[KeithFrench]

Full fibre is TalkTalk's marketing for FTTP, the fibre terminates in your house. This means that the company doing the installation (typically Openreach or CityFibre), or their contractors will require access to your property to install an ONT (Optical Network Termination) box. That is the end of the fibre, from there an Ethernet cable will connect up to the eero.

To manage the eero a smartphone app is required, plus the phone needs Bluetooth. Mobile data is briefly required initially, so a tablet is unlikely to work. The app currently supports devices running Android 7.0 or later and iOS 15 or later. Your device must also have Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled, so Bluetooth versions earlier than 4.0 aren't supported.

Once set up your Desktop computer can connect to the eero via wireless or Ethernet, but you will not be able to configure anything on the eero without the eero app on a phone. This is how Amazon designed the product, TalkTalk has no way to alter it.

If this is not going to work for you, it might be possible to request TalkTalk supply a Sagemcom WiFi Hub 2, but it is not the correct router for your package.

[Billx]

Yes, 'Full Fibre' is FTTP (not FFTP).

Yes, Eero router requires Smart Phone and Eero Smart Phone app, to set up the Eero router, and to maintain it.

(Windows takes second place regarding the Eero.)

Similarly, I prefer being online on the Desktop computer.

So, the Eero router will NOT operate the same as your current TalkTalk router.

TalkTalk might be able to allow you to continue using your existing router, if you ask them, when making the new contract, Full Fibre 150.

You certainly was spot on, in your questions.

Bill