Setting up your router on full fibre

Don't worry about the cables. On full fibre you connect the router to the fibre connection box with a network cable, then power on and plug in Phone1.

Quick answer

Find your fibre connection box, connect a network cable from the router WAN port to Port1 (or LAN1), wait for a green broadband light, then plug your phone into Phone1 with the handset adapter.

More detail

Full fibre homes use a fibre connection box (sometimes called an ONT) instead of plugging the router into a phone socket on the wall.

The router must stay connected to that box and switched on at all times for your digital home phone to work.

Your home phone plugs into Phone1 on the router, not into an old wall socket.

If your line uses the main phone socket with a grey DSL cable instead, See Setting up your router or adapter box

Service can go live at any time up to 6pm on your start date. A red broadband light before 6pm on that day is normal. Wait until at least 6pm before reporting red lights as a fault.

The broadband light on the front often looks like a globe. When it is green, your line is ready for your phone.

What you'll need

Router and power adapter
Network cable for the fibre connection box
Handset adapter cable and home phone
Access to the fibre connection box and a power socket

Before you begin

Read the quick start card in the box. Wi-Fi password is labelled Wireless Key on the router label.
Never press the small recessed reset button. It wipes settings and the line will not work until reconfigured. We charge a paid reconfiguration fee plus shipping to restore settings.
Keep the fibre connection box powered on. If it is off, the router cannot connect.

Set up your fibre router step by step

Unpack the box on a stable surface near a power socket and your fibre connection box.

You should have the router, power adapter, network cable, and handset adapter ready.
Find the fibre connection box where the fibre enters your home. Your box may not look identical to others. Keep it powered on.

You should be able to see network ports on the fibre connection box, often labelled Port1 or LAN1.
Connect a network cable from the blue WAN port on the router to Port1 on the fibre connection box. If there is no Port1, use LAN1.

One network cable should run from router WAN to Port1 or LAN1 on the fibre box. Do not use the grey DSL port for this setup.
Plug the power adapter into the router and the wall socket. If nothing lights up, press the power button on the back of the router once. Make sure the fibre connection box is also powered on.

You should see at least one light on the front of the router within about a minute.
Wait at least three minutes for the broadband light to turn steady green.

You should see a steady green broadband light. On your start date, wait until 6pm before treating a red light as a fault.
Plug the small end of the handset adapter into Phone1 on the router, then plug your home phone into the larger white socket on the adapter.

Your phone should be connected to Phone1 on the router, not to a wall socket.
Pick up the phone and make a short test call. You may hear silence instead of dial tone. That can be normal on digital lines.

The test call should connect if the broadband light is green and service has gone live. If lights stay red after 6pm on your start date, See No dial tone or no internet connection.

What success looks like

Fibre connection box and router are powered on, the broadband light is steady green, and test calls work with your phone on Phone1.

Common mistakes

Using the grey DSL port instead of the blue WAN port on full fibre.
Plugging into the wrong port on the fibre connection box. Use Port1, or LAN1 if there is no Port1.
Leaving the fibre connection box switched off.
Pressing the recessed reset button instead of switching power off and on.
Testing before the broadband light has turned green or before 6pm on your start date.

Things to know

See What router lights mean if you are unsure about lights.
See Where to plug in your phone for Phone1 guidance.
If your router uses the main phone socket and a grey DSL cable, See Setting up your router or adapter box
Wi-Fi is only included on some packages. Voice-only lines may not have Wi-Fi enabled.

Frequently asked questions

How long until ready?

Usually three to five minutes after power and cables are connected. On your start date, service may not go live until 6pm.

Which port on the fibre box?

Port1 if it has one. If not, use LAN1.

What if I pressed reset?

Contact us. The router needs reconfiguration and we charge a paid reconfiguration fee plus shipping.

Red light on start day?

Normal until 6pm. Service may not go live until then.