How does an apartment get fiber optic? An expert explains.

Do you live in an apartment and want faster internet? You might be wondering: how does fiber optic actually reach my front door? And how does it work when you live with multiple people in one building?

We asked Jeroen Dangremond, an expert in the field of fiber optic installation at Open Dutch Fiber. He knows exactly how apartment buildings are connected, from the initial contact with the homeowners' association to the moment your wifi is up and running again. In this article, he explains how it works, step by step.

1. We are requesting permission from the homeowners' association. 

Before we can start, we need permission from the HOA (Homeowners Association) or landlord. This is the party responsible for the building.

"We will contact the VvE or administrator ourselves," says Jeroen. "We explain what we do, how we want to install it, and ask for approval."

Without permission from the homeowners' association, we cannot install cables in the building. You can read more about it in the article. Sure, please provide me with the text you would like me to translate into English.How do you request permission from the homeowners' association for fiber optic installation? 

2. We are making a plan.

Once permission is granted, an expert from Open Dutch Fiber will come for an inspection. During the inspection, we will assess the best way to lay the cables.

"We determine where the cables will be placed, how we will reach the houses, and where the connection points in the house should be," Jeroen explains. "We document this in a plan." This plan is coordinated with the HOA or landlord. After that, we start with the preparation."

3. We are bringing the fiber optic cable into the apartment. 

The fiber optic cable is brought into the building. This can be done in various ways:

• through the interior through meter cupboards and stairwells;

• outside through a gutter along the facade;

• via a common space, such as a hallway or utility closet in the corridor.

"We always choose the method that suits the building and the owner's wishes," says Jeroen. "This way, we ensure that the installation proceeds as smoothly as possible."

4. We are connecting the houses. 

After laying the main cable, we will connect all the homes in the apartment building. We do this in consultation with the residents. We will schedule an appointment for each home to install the fiber optic connection point.

"At apartment buildings, we usually spend 45 minutes per unit," Jeroen explains. "After that, we immediately test if everything is working properly."

The connection point is usually located in the meter cupboard. After that, your house is ready for use.

5. Your provider activates the connection. 

Once everything is connected, your provider takes over. They ensure that you get online. Sometimes a technician will come, sometimes you will receive an installation package at home. Want to know more about the choice in providers? You can read about it in the article.Can I choose a fiber optic provider myself? 

Do the postcode check.

Do you want to know if your home is eligible for fiber optic from Open Dutch Fiber?postcodecheck You can quickly and easily see if your address is already on the schedule. You will immediately see if the installation has already started, or if we will contact you soon. This way, you know exactly what to expect.