3 Messages
Using Cat5e for high speed fiber optic service
I just moved into a new construction home on a NC beach island. Yay, right? The house is two stories with 9 foot ceilings, and sits on pilings 8 feet up from ground level. It is an inverted floor plan with the main living area at the upper level. During construction, I showed the electrician the upper story closet where I wanted to locate a wireless modem/router to provide wireless service for laptops and streaming via sling/Roku or similar. He installed a 120 volt outlet and Cat5e cable from the closet across the attic space and inside a wall using staples down to ground level, where the Cat5e is cut off about three feet above the ground. My AT&T installer seemed reluctant to tie into the existing Cat5e cable, although he did not specifically say it could not be done. He also advised that ATT safety rules prevent techs from getting on ladders more than X feet high, and my location was too high. He recommended I call the electrician and have him run fiber (a length of which the ATT tech left with me). If I want 300 or 500 MBS service, can the AT&T fiber cable not be connected to my existing Cat5e cable? If not, what options are available to get AT&T high speed service? I would be reluctant to run a new cable outside the house--there is no exposed wiring now, and I would prefer to keep it that way.
my thoughts
Former Employee
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21.5K Messages
4 months ago
Did they also run coax (RG6) if yes order cable internet.
ATT fiber service requires fiber to the ONT location which is generally where your gateway equipment will be located.
ATT tech ladder, a 28 foot using OSHA 4 to 1 rule, every 4 feet in height is 1 foot away from base, has a reach of 17 to 21 feet.
If reaching roof line ladder needs to extend 3 feet over roof line.
Your construction of 2 stories, about 10 feet per with 8 feet piling tech could not safely place ladder.
Tech could drill a hole and drop the fiber out of 2nd story running along side of exterior.
Or drill to get fiber to first story, again along outside.
The ideal would have been a conduit installed with pull string during construction from bottom to closet with no sharp bends, maybe 35 to 40 feet.
(edited)
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Just_Beachy
3 Messages
4 months ago
Yes, the electrician also ran coax cable in parallel with the Cat5e. But if I downgrade to "cable internet" as you describe, can I still get reliable 300 or 500 MBS service, or will it necessarily be at slower speeds?
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my thoughts
Former Employee
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21.5K Messages
4 months ago
If cable internet will be whatever your cable provider offers, would not be ATT Fiber internet speed of 300, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 where offered.
If want ATT 300 or 500 will have to be fiber installed to someplace within home. If placed on 1st floor next to existing Ethernet run back to closet then ONT is on first floor using 010 or 020 ONT and gateway placed in closet… OR have ONT/gateway on first floor with Ethernet to a switch or router or mesh system you purchase in the closet. Still need fiber to the first floor which will require drilling.
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my thoughts
Former Employee
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21.5K Messages
4 months ago
Is your service coming from a pole (aerial) with drop or buried to 8 feet piling?
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Just_Beachy
3 Messages
4 months ago
Everything on this island is buried underground--no overhead lines at all. The ATT tech ran a line to my property from two doors down, leaving it on the ground for future trenching.
We might be able to run something through a first level closet that would put the gateway within 40 feet (straight line distance) of the most remote device that will need to receive the wireless signal. Most devices will be on the second floor. Do you think that would work?
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DaveinCharlotte
New Member
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27 Messages
3 months ago
If an installation for Fiber Internet 300 involves fiber cable to ONT Service Box , then Ethernet cable to the gateway, can the Ethernet cable be Cat5e or does it have to be Cat6e?
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browndk26
ACE - Professor
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5.6K Messages
3 months ago
Cat5e is acceptable.
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