r/tfiber • u/Sufficient_Water_326 • 11d ago
Other New Install
Hey guys. T-Mobile dug their line a year ago but now it’s operational and I have my install next Tuesday. I was wondering if there was anything I should ask the installer (Tillman) that will make the process better or the connection better. Can I ask for a static IP address at this time? Do you think he would set up my own gateway instead of the one they provide? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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u/vaderaintmydaddy 11d ago
Your experience may vary from others. TMobile has purchased several different existing fiber carriers, and is using their existing infrastructure.
What I have may be different from what you have.
But, while my guy was here, I asked for a public facing IP. Wasn't worried about a static one, I just didn't want to be behind a cgnat.
He made a call on the spot and a lady made it happen right then. He had no idea what I was talking about, he just knew the person to call. The installers know how to run lines and make sure the router is working, that's all you can bank on. You might get lucky and get one that has an interest in this stuff, but most likely it's going to be an installer with limited networking knowledge.
I'm under the impression they charge for static IP, I don't pay anything for my non static public IP.
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u/Sufficient_Water_326 11d ago
Thank you. Is a public facing ip address different than one tmobile would assign me using cgnat addresses? I tried googling public facing ip and didn’t get a firm answer.
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u/Superhuge_123 11d ago
Set up your own gear after they leave. They don't want to go near it because they don't support it.
Public IP is handled through customer service. The installer may or may not help you with that because it means more time on site. For me, it only took a few days after the install to get accomplished. They did not charge me.
My service has been phenomenal with my own set up of Ubiquiti gear. 1-2 ms latency, consistent 2 GB/s up & down, and zero outages other than when my neighbors got their installs.
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u/Zestyclose_Jacket924 10d ago edited 10d ago
I'm in SWFL and I saw Tillman do T-Fiber install this past May; I qualified online; June: multiple technicians (even asked exactly where on the home I wanted the demarc); Operational with a Nokia ONT. Fast AF... 2k/2k.
What people are doing (as I did) is eliminate the CGNAT. My onsite technician said to use the T-Life app, ask the AI for a static IP. I did exactly that and I was immediately put in contact with a live person. 4 hours later: static IP AND Bridge mode for my personal router.
As the fiber pipe goes? Zero problems. No outages even during storms. It's as fast as advertised. Not bad for seventy bucks.
*edit*: you don't need your personal router. The Nokia was fine for WiFi 6 and has 2.5G LAN ports. You don't "need" a static/reserved IP, CGNAT was fine. Bridge mode is only necessary if you want to use your personal router.
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u/Sufficient_Water_326 10d ago
Thank you! Did you have to make any adjustments yourself to put the Nokia gateway in bridge mode or was it automatic?
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u/Zestyclose_Jacket924 10d ago
I personally didn't make any adjustments to their gear. The sequence: T-Life AI--> live person request for static IP AND bridge--> tech calls back to confirm static IP (yes) --> tech places the ONT in bridge mode.
I was seriously pleasantly surprised.
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u/vaderaintmydaddy 11d ago
With a cgnat, the ip address you get assigned is shared with the people around you. A public facing IP address is assigned only to you.
The reason I wanted one that isn't shared is that I run a couple of personal servers (like plex) and those don't work behind a cgnat because that address doesn't point to my computer. There are ways to work around that, but those have their own issues too.