To all you cable boffins!

fred · 11-08-2006, 14:32

Can anyone suggest a reason why there should exist a link/spur running between my terminal box (on the wall outside) and the same on a neighbouring property?
The nextdoor has it's own direct feed as I have, but this link/spur is running between a splitter inside each sealed box. It may have been a temporary work around at some time. But the associated problems I was getting due to the splitter being connected the wrong way round were only apparent for the last 6 weeks maximum. So it would suggest the link/spur has only been in that long. I had no other work going on in that time. So I am suspicious!
I don't know of any security aspect to this but any ideas would be gratefully received.

N

Quam256 · 11-08-2006, 15:03

Can you give us a bit more information on how the cable is being fed ,how it is split , a drawing would help.
Possibly if one of the feeds is damaged (house A)the signal has been split at (House B) and fed to House A to get them temporary service until a new cable can be fitted.
There is no way your security can be compromised from the CATV drop cable.
You could always ask the neighbour if you get on with them.

fred · 12-08-2006, 08:04

Thanks for that.

Well I can't give a detailed diagram/description as I only saw it when the engineer opened up both boxes. I just assume the splitters split each incoming direct feed (from the pavement) and one leg went into the house and the other across to one leg of the splitter in the box of the other house.
I had assumd that the spur was active from my house to the next, because about a year ago I found the next door direct feed at the pavement end exposed and open ended! So I assumed the link had been a work around. But I was never asked for permission to run the cable spur across my property or even for the engineers, whenever it was, to install it!
I am reassured to have it confirmed that no security issues arises from this. But presumably there could be an influence on the data quality/bandwidth/reliability due this extra? I believe each customer is supposed to have a dedicated cable all the way from the local street cabinet?

Thanks again

Nigel
P.S. I am obviously pursuing NTL for some payment for accessing across my property and more so because I was never asked or gave my permission!

Quam256 · 12-08-2006, 15:51

Ask the neighbour if they know the reason why it is there or if they have had any repaires done lately.

fred · 12-08-2006, 16:26

Thanks.

I would but there is no 'avenue for dialogue there', sorry to be unhelpful.

I might even have suspected some adverse involvement from there! But that may be my suspicious mind (tho' with good reason) as I doubt they could do anything without breaking NTL anti-tamper seals etc. But when the engineers did turn up to remove the offending cable they spent more time involved in conversation by the neighbours, even to the point of one going indoors to their house!

Maybe I should let it lie if there has been no likelihood of my security being breached.

Thanks

Nigel

Stu038 · 12-08-2006, 20:39

What your describing has no security impact on you at all, and 99 times out of 100 it also won't cause you or your neighbour any problems with quality of service.

This sort of thing used to be done frequently as a way of temporarily connecting new customers if the ducting in the street is blocked so their own cable can't be pulled until the streets have been dug up again or to restore service if the other properties cable has been damaged until it can be replaced.

Who ever did it should have asked your permission first to come onto your property but if you weren't in they probably asked your neighbour if they thought you would have any problems with it.

I don't think you'll get very far on the compensation thing, if ntl want to get stroppy about it then your contract with them gives them the right to enter your garden to maintain their cables and connection points. The only thing you might get compensated for is if you are able to prove that your property was in some way damaged by them doing this.

fred · 12-08-2006, 20:54

Stu,

Thanks for your reply and I know you are right.
It's just the way it has been done. I am sure NTL would win, by sheer force. But I think the right is on my side in that they were not entering my property for the benefit of my service, but for them to maintain or provide service for another, which an entirely different matter.
As for what the other property said about the access across my property to give them service may not be written!
I will still shout and rant but it won't get me far. It doesn't get me far even as far as my own service goes!

I thank-you for your help

Nigel