Optical Network Terminator (ONT)

If you have our Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) business broadband, you’ll have an Openreach ONT (Optical Network Terminator), also known as an Openreach modem.

Your ONT needs to stay fixed to the wall or skirting as the thin green fibre optic cable can be delicate. Please be careful when cleaning around it and make sure everyone knows not to tamper with it.

Keep the plug connected in the mains whenever people will need to connect to broadband, unplugging it will cut off broadband immediately. Normal speeds will resume in a few minutes when you insert the plug again.

Why do you need an ONT?

You need a separate ONT because it takes the signals and data from the fibre optic cable and converts them into a form which your Fibre Hub can use to deliver superfast broadband around your premises. In turn, your Fibre Hub talks to devices like your computer.

Using the reset button

The reset button lets you power cycle the modem without disconnecting the power cable. You should only use it if you've contacted us and we've asked you to do it.

WARNING - pressing for 10 seconds or more will return the device to factory settings and could render your broadband service unusable.

The BBU port

The BBU port is on the back of your ONT and it stands for Battery Back-Up. This port isn’t active at the moment, so you shouldn’t plug anything into it. We might activate it in the future.

The Tel 1 & 2 sockets and light

These aren’t active at the moment, so you shouldn’t plug anything into the sockets. We might activate them in the future.

What do the lights mean on my ONT?

Here’s a handy guide to what the lights mean.

Having problems connecting? Disconnect the power cables to both your ONT and hub/router for two minutes. Now reconnect them. The lights should settle within a few minutes.

For help fixing problems with your ONT, go to Troubleshooting the Optical Network Terminator (ONT).