• The Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has noted a trend in which Optical Network Terminals are being removed from homes when folks move.
• Despite being worthless and unlikely to work in other locations, customers mistake these boxes as their equipment and it isn’t.
• Removing this box could cost you as it may require a reinstallation and your would be liable for that cost.

The Optical Network Terminal (sometimes referred to as Customer Premises Equipment) is the box that you plug your router into to get that sweet sweet fibre to your notebooks, smartphones and other electronics.

Despite being in your house, this box isn’t part of your equipment and should be left at the house when you move. This seems obvious, but it appears as if folks are taking this box with them when they move out.

“Moving the furniture’s fine, but when relocating, don’t move the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) device and cabling that serviced your fibre connection. The ONT belongs to the Fibre Network Operator (FNO), it’s not a router, and it won’t work on another network at another location and can’t be sold,” explained Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) chair, Sasha Booth-Beharilal.

This has become so common a problem that ISPA felt the need to comment on it. However, the association says that some fault rests on ISPs as well.

We know that despite technology being widely accessible, folks simply don’t understand how something like fibre internet works. ISPs should clearly mark that the ONT shouldn’t be removed and that toying with the cables could cause damage.

The association says that the best course of action is to check with your ISP regarding what is an isn’t allowed to be removed from the property when you move.

The ONT is typically a box that is affixed to a wall, typically near a power socket. However, different configurations exist and there are instances where two ONT boxes are installed. Furthermore, some routers could be owned by the ISP so it’s really best to check before you rip anything from the wall.

As Booth-Beharilal explains, these boxes can’t be resold for all that much and they are unlikely to work at another location. However, should you take or break this equipment, you’re more than likely going to have to pay for it especially because FNOs will invoice ISPs should their infrastructure be damaged or missing. Ultimately that bill will hit consumers so give your ISP a call and check what you should and shouldn’t pack away.

Remember that fibre connectivity is made possible through literal glass strands and damaging those strands could require a reinstallation of the line. That’s not a cost you want to be burdened with while moving.

“In all cases, the ONT must remain on site and probably other fibre-based Internet equipment as well,” Booth-Beharilal explained.

[Image – Lars Kienle on Unsplash]