Earlier today I received a call from TMPoint offering a free upgrade to Unifi. I'm currently using Unifi Lite (migrated from Streamyx). Many years ago, when I was interested to install Unifi, I checked the availability webpage and my address was not covered. The apartment I'm staying is more than 20 years old so I wasn't surprised.

Although I welcome this new offer, I remain skeptical if this upgrade can be done at all. This is because I have not seen any physical installation carried out at my building to accommodate cabling. The only installation I see is the one from Time. Their connection box is right outside my unit and I can see the piping done to accommodate cabling for new customers.

I was wondering if any members here staying in old apartments (not landed) can share their experience in installing or upgrading to Unifi. How do they carry out the last mile connection for old apartments? If the upgrading is done only up to nearest switch box but the last mile connection remain unchanged, is the connection still as fast as Unifi?

My appointment with TMPoint is next Monday. So I hope to gather some input and ask them more questions.

Thank you very much in advance for any useful inputs.

This post has been edited by bass4focus: Sep 23 2022, 07:06 PM

what is free upgrade? How much you currently pay now and how much they offering you for monthly fees? if you mean free upgrade as in free installation, ya there's a promo (usually not mentioned out loud) as such.

According to the phone conversation, the offer is to upgrade to Unifi 30mbps at my existing rate of RM69 (before tax). My current speed is 8mbps (if I'm not mistaken). No new contract.

Anyway, I edited my topic title. The focus should be on installation for old apartment and not the "free" aspect of it. I do not want to mislead readers into thinking old apartments automatically get free upgrade.

Do you know how they do the last mile connection? Is it still using telephone socket as they do for Streamyx?

This post has been edited by bass4focus: Sep 24 2022, 12:16 AM

I doubt existing Copper sockets can be used.

If it's 30mbps it has to be fiber.

I'd assume the fiber infra is probably a common one that can share between different ISPs. Centralised infra for the apartment. (anyone else do correct me if I'm wrong)

In the phone conversation, it was mentioned that there would be charges if the cabling work is more than 50 meters. But I only see the Time piping readily available on our building. I wonder if they can share the same piping?

If Time Fiber is available, get Time
UniFi should be your 2nd choice

I do not want to get tied down by contract. If I go for Time, I would have to sign up for contract. If this Unifi upgrade came with contract, I would have immediately turned it down.

Are you renting that apartment? Or is that your own?

Renting.

I did some googling and found out that there are 3 types of broadband networks:

Fiber-to-The-Home (FTTH)
Fiber-to-The-Premises (FTTP)
Fiber-to-The-Curb (FTTC)

FTTC seems like a mixture of fiber and copper, with optical fiber installed up to the curbs (or local cabinet in the street), with the last mile connection using copper to connect to end user from the cabinet. It seems FTTC can support up to 80mbps downloads.

So I imagine this upgrade offer will be using the FTTC connection if no additional fiber cabling is installed to my unit. Which means I would still be connecting via the telephone line socket if that is the case.

Anyone with expert knowledge please correct me if I'm wrong.

During the phone conversation about for the upgrading to Unifi 30mbps, did you ask got renew contract?
Basically it will be renew contract if u upgrade one plan to another plan.

Those are textbook mumbo jumbo irrelevant to what's being discussed in the real world. As a high-rise consumer all you need to know is if you get GPON (fiber modem) or VDSL (Copper modem, similar to old ADSL but way faster). TIME is all fiber. Unifi may use copper on really old buildings.
If GPON you can get the highest speed offered, but it will involve cabling work (if they do offer this).
If VDSL it depends on your local infra, usually up to 50mbps or 30mbps. However the upgrade process is remarkably simple, literally just changing the modem, and optionally router.

This post has been edited by failed.hashcheck: Sep 23 2022, 10:55 PM

They will patch new fiber normally if they offered like that.

Yes, I asked. There will not be any new contract. Just continue paying my current rate. This is something that I definitely will ask again on my Monday appointment.

This post has been edited by bass4focus: Sep 24 2022, 12:24 AM

So if it is VDSL, I just continue connecting via the telephone outlet? I'm currently using my own modem-router. Can I continue using it if it's VDSL connection, or do I have to use TM's modem?

Yes. Still using phone outlet, just different kind of signal (Assuming you are currently still on ADSL2+).

You will be provided with a new modem/router, but you can always run it in bridge mode to keep your old router.
But then again, I can't imagine how your old ADSL era router is any way superior to even current TM free VDSL router, so you might want to just use the new one.

Write "no contract" in their worksheet before sign it since this is your main concern.

My auntie's old apartment. Also long time on Streamyx then upgraded to Unifi. You can see the fibre being run haphazardly from somewhere downstairs up the riser and along the walls to the individual apartments.



This post has been edited by soonwai: Sep 24 2022, 02:48 PM

If the cabling is going to be done that way, I would rather opt for the VDSL connection if given a choice and just continue using the telephone outlet. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

Ok, sound great.. Look like wanna EOL of the Streamyx line.
That means CONFIRM RM69 (before tax) is forever? Or after 1 or 2 year is it price will up to RM89/mth (although no contract)?

Remember share us what model of BTU and router free provide from Unifi teams.
Just curious Unifi give you what device because so great no contract upgrade to Unifi with same price like Streamyx.