Josh Bancroft’s TinyScreenfuls.com

ONT, Before Wiring, originally uploaded by JoshB.

As most of you know, I recently ordered Verizon Fios fiber optic broadband (15Mbps down, 2Mbps up for about $40/month). When they came out to install it, I tagged along through the process, and took photos to document them all. You can find all of the photos in this set on Flickr.

The ONT (Optical Network Terminal) is basically the heart of fiber optic broadband. It provides connection for the fiber optic line, your existing household phone system, and an Ethernet jack for internet access.

The ONT is mounted on the exterior of your house, near your existing telephone network interface. Behind the actual ONT you see here is a cable housing, where excess fiber optic line is coiled and stored. Since fiber optic line can’t be bent beyond a certain angle without breaking, and because it’s not easy to install a connector on the end, I guess Verizon just provides lots of extra line, and a big enough box to coil it in without bending it too far.

Stay tuned for more photos and description of the process…

Links to:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6
• Part 7
• End Results
• The complete Flickr photo set (15 photos and descriptions)

Let me know if you have any questions! If you’re in the Portland area, and want to order Fios broadband, let me know, and I’ll get you Bridget’s cell number, so she gets a referral for the order. She took great care of me!