I'm planning to switch from CoxSpectrum early 2027. Current wiring was installed during construction 40+ years-ago. It's buried coax to an exterior wall then 40' through low roof section of carport/shop attic before splitting in main high-roof attic to service TV and modem to router.

I'm told that ATT will want to run their fiber stapling to trim then drill into a convenient space for the gateway. I'd rather not have that exterior run.

Prior to having ATT contractor come, should I hire a low-voltage wiring company to run a "Smurf tube" along my preferred route? DIY is not an option, I've aged out of being an attic monkey.

Opinions please.

4 ...

Report Post

Posted by j1897

Member since Nov 2011

5330 posts

Posted on 11/12/26 at 12:21 pm to Tree_Fall

They ran to my ONT in my garage, then ran cat6 to my wiring closet. No trim. Not sure if they use ONT's anymore though.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by s14suspense

Baton Rouge

Member since Mar 2007

16387 posts

Posted on 11/12/26 at 12:21 pm to Tree_Fall

quote:
Prior to having ATT contractor come, should I hire a low-voltage wiring company to run a "Smurf tube" along my preferred route? DIY is not an option, I've aged out of being an attic monkey.

You could certainly do that, but you may just have the wiring company run a few Ethernet drops while they’re doing that as well.
Unless you’ve just been super happy with the placement of your WiFi from your current setup and want to mimic it with your fiber modem router.

My ATT box comes directly into my office on the far corner of the house and I just have Ethernet running from it to a few more centralized access points in other areas.
Turn the WiFi off on the ATT box and ignore it.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by MikeBRLA

Baton Rouge

Member since Jun 2005

17314 posts

Posted on 11/12/26 at 1:24 pm to Tree_Fall

The installer will determine where he wants to penetrate your building and then determine where the best route is to your gateway. You won’t know where the Smurf tube needs to be prior to install bc you won’t know the penetration point yet.

Also, the fiber will be in conduit on the exterior of your home, not stapled to the trim.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by BabySam

Member since Oct 2010

1600 posts

Posted on 11/12/26 at 2:58 pm to Tree_Fall

You'll have to pay attention before they start so you can express your desired location/penetration point.

Have seen multiple times where it's normally the shortest path from roadside connection to your house.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by CAD703X

Liberty Island

Member since Jul 2008

95344 posts

Posted on 11/12/26 at 4:10 pm to BabySam

quote:
You'll have to pay attention before they start so you can express your desired location/penetration point.

Have seen multiple times where it's normally the shortest path from roadside connection to your house.

the first guy ran a line up *IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HARDWOOD FLOORS*

i have a pic somewhere. i'll find it. we were remodelling the house at the time so i wasn't everywhere at once to make sure they didn't do something bone-headed..and ....they did something bone-headed.

had a whole team out from att the next day to move it into my server closet.

eta cant find the pic where its coming striaght through teh hardwood about 2 inches from the baseboard; but this is how they left it and what i walked into later.