Kerala Vision Broadband FTTH - User Experience

Now that I am evaluating Kerala Vision broadband, thought I would create a thread to share my experience. My LCO provides broadband services from BSNL and Kerala Vision, so thought would be good to evaluate Kerala Vision as well.

Getting the account setup was pretty easy, cause there was no need for additional cabling or ONT etc. I shared a photo and ID/address proof doc to the LCO, and the same day evening he setup my account and shared the credentials. The LCO shares the same OLT for all services, so on my end, I just needed to configure my OpenWRT device appropriately.

Initially I didn't get the Kerala Vision VLAN, so I had to reach out to the LCO's tech guy who shared the id. I added the VLAN to the switch (my ONT is a transparent bridge, so I needed no change on the ONT) which created an interface and all I needed to do was add the necessary interface configuration with the PPPoE credentials.

As you can see, they use CG-NAT which is disappointing but other than BSNL and few others nobody else gives public IP addresses. Also I liked the fact that things just worked on first try (the above screenshot is from my first try to connect)

Will add more details as I explore more.

 

[AMJ]

Okay that makes sense! I have manually set my router's MAC address to be my old modem's MAC address. So effectively, the ISP is communicating with the old MAC address itself..

 

[sarin28]

Hello guys. I want some help as I am almost a noob regarding these modem related things. I was using Airtel Xstream Fibre in Bangalore. They provided me a Nokia GPON (G-140W-F) modem which I was using there. The thing is I came to my native now. And in my location, the only broadband option is Kerala Vision. But the LCO is asking me ₹5k for modem (Mercusys brand) and installation which seems too much costly. Is it possible to configure my Nokia modem with Kerala Vision connection.??

 

[pillaicha]

It really boils down to what tech your LCO's OLT is based on.

If it's EPON based, your Nokia Modem can't be used. If it's GPON based, then you most certainly can. You can frankly only ask thay guy and it depends on what he tells you.

The ₹5000 Installation cost probably is for 150-200m metres of fiber cable included along with the fiber modem.

 

[sarin28]

Thanks for the reply bro. Actually they are using GPON OLT only. That I confirned with them. But the LCO guy is adamant. He just wants to make money out of this. He is telling that it will only work if I buy the modem from him. I dont want to buy that since I already have one with me (and as you said, both modem and OLT are GPON here). My 2 cousins took Kerala Vision service, but their LCO is different. He charged only 2500 for them. Then how come my LCO guy insisting this much money. Ok leave it, that is different story. So in short, both OLT and my modem are GPON. So I can use my Nokia modem itself right.!! If in case my LCO agrees to install my own Nokia modem, can anyone tell me how to configure it.??

 

[pillaicha]

You'll need the PPPoE credentials from KV. Before that works, your modem's MAC address needs to be verified at the OLT level, for which you need the LCO to do it for you. The thing is you'll have to go beyond the LCO to get this done, if the LCO is adamant.

What I can suggest is this: Kerala Vision has regional heads, for each SSA. Get in touch with them. Explain your problem to them. There's a good chance they'll put pressure on your LCO. Also find out uptil which point the LCO currently has a fiber cable pulled and how much more cable would be needed into your house. Calculate that at around ₹10/meter.

Ultimately it comes down to your bargaining skills and a show of technical knowledge to your LCO. They're (like most everyone else) trying to fool people without their knowledge or consent, and its general human nature, where moral righteousness is doomed to the dumps to satisfy greed and gain some extra money. If you can tell him you understand the actual costs involved, and maybe get Kerala Vision itself to put pressure on him, he will budge.

Edit: My own LCO tried to pull a number on me. He had initially waived off my "installation charges" when I told him I'd be taking a long term plan. Then he told me I had to pay ₹3750 for the modem only. That's when I whipped out my personal modem I owned about which I hadn't told him before. It was a dual xPON. So there was nothing anymore he could really tell me at that point. So in effect, I paid ₹0 "Installation charges". P. S. The Modem I owned costs only ₹1200 so I'm not sure what he was trying to sell me.

 

[sarin28]

Yeah bro. Exactly. He thought he can fool me. Even though I had a small doubt I told him firmly that my modem will work with KV but he was not at all listening. He didnt even checked whether it will work or not, but simply blabbering things. He is selling Mercusys modem. Which when I checked only costs ₹999 in Amazon (the exact same model). Ok I will try to find the regional head contact detail. Because when I tried to contact KV customer care, they are only telling me to contact the LCO.

 

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[sarin28]

Hi. So the LCO came today. I explained him everything. Eventhough he agreed on my points, but I could still see that he was trying to ignore it and argue with me saying that, "OLT is from Huawei and the Huawei guys are locking it to prevent using other modem."

I said many of my friends and cousins are using their own modems. So locking by Huawei is not possible.

Later he asked to give my modem to him. He said he will check and inform. He took the modem with him. Is there any foul play there.??

 

[ghostfreak]

Hey guys...
New here...

Just saw this post.. Somewhat same with my story.. So I am trying to get Kerala Vision Fibre in my HomeTown... I also have the same above mentioned Nokia modem cum router with me.. But my cable operator told that the OLT is not supporting my Modem (even though both modem and OLT are GPON).. I asked which modems are supported.. He said Netlink, Syrotech, Huawei and GX modems are supported now..

So I was searching for some low cost alternative and I came across a video in YouTube where I saw that the guy was telling about Netlink Non-Wifi ONT which costs only 900 bucks.. (ONT-GPON-NETLINK SECURE ONT BEST SECURE FIREWALL USED)

It only have one LAN port.. And he was telling that we can connect other routers with this ONT through LAN cable and we can use the WiFi normally.. So I was thinking whether I can do the same.. Like buy this Netlink ONT and get configured by the Kerala Vision OLT, then I can use the LAN cable and connect my Nokia modem cum router which I have with me (it is a dual band router btw).. Will it work guys.?? Can anyone help me regarding this...

 

[varkey]

Yes, that should work!

Btw if you need a Huawei ONT, check my signature.

 

[ghostfreak]

Hi Varkey.. As I am a new user, I am not able to DM you.. Can you initiate it from your end.. Need to talk regarding the Huawei ONT..