By
April 08, 2024
If you’re getting fibre broadband installed there are a couple of things to keep in mind to get the best out of this amazing technology.
Where to put the fibre box or ONT
First up, you’ll need to make a decision on where we place some of the equipment inside your home that makes your fibre connection work – like the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), also known as a fibre box.
The ONT or fibre box is what your modem plugs into so where it lives in your home can affect the quality of your broadband experience. Chat with your partner or housemates about where they’d like the ONT installed and agree before the technician arrives - it should ideally be where you use the internet the most - usually the main living area.
Putting your ONT behind the TV cabinet is a good place as it’s hidden away, there are power sockets for the ONT and modem to plug into, and often existing holes in the cabinet from other electronics to put cables through.
For newer homes with structured wiring, your ONT will usually be installed in the wiring cabinet (sometimes called the home distribution box) in your garage, basement or utility closet.
Depending on how we bring the fibre into your property sometimes we may need to install your ONT in a position that is different to where you have requested it. This is so you can get the best possible experience and our technician will discuss this with you.
What the technician will do as part of the installation process
When the Chorus technician arrives to install fibre inside your home here’s what you can expect:
- They’ll discuss with you where you want to place the ONT and agree on its position
- Install and wire up the ONT
- Connect your wifi modem provided by your broadband provider to the ONT
- Test the connection is working before leaving
Find out what broadband options are available in your area.
After the installation - how to set up your WiFi
When your fibre connection is up and running, you’ll want to get the best experience throughout your home.
It’s always a good idea to plug devices that use a lot of data like games consoles, smart televisions, or desktop computers directly into your modem so you can free up your WiFi for all your wireless devices. You can move your modem if you decide you’d prefer it in a different location but you may need to buy longer Ethernet cables, wifi extenders or Mesh systems to complete your set up.
Small homes (1-2 bedroom apartment, unit, or townhouse) can usually get by with one wifi modem in the main living area. If you have a medium to large sized home or lots of data hungry flatmates or kids, it’s worth looking at getting another one or two wifi hot spots in other parts of your home.
For more tips and advice check out our article on how to get the best home wifi experience. Every home has different needs so consider the options available and choose what works for you to get the best out of your fibre broadband.