The F4RN broadband network provides a fibre optic cable all the way to the property – something generally referred to as “Fibre to the Home” (FTTH) or “Fibre to the Property”(FTTP). This means that the broadband signal is transmitted by light along its entire route so the speed of the connection is not affected by the distance you are from our central equipment.
This is very different to the service provided by most other internet companies outside of the city centre – even for their “fibre optic” broadband, they use a system called “Fibre to the Cabinet” (FTTC) where the fibre only comes as far as the nearest green roadside cabinet. After that the signal is sent down the old copper or aluminium telephone cables, so the quality of your broadband connection depends on how far you are from the green cabinet and the condition of the telephone wires. So FTTC is usually OK if you live close to the cabinet but not so great if you are further away…
We've put together a short leaflet which explains how the fibre optic connection is made from our core network to your property. It usually involves some digging but as long as we have brought the core network reasonably close to your property and with help from family, friends, neighbours and the F4RN core team the job can be quickly done.