FAQs

Yes, a new broadband connection will typically require some drilling to install the necessary equipment. The engineer will need to drill a small hole (approximately 6mm) through an external wall to bring the fibre or copper cable into your premises. This is standard practice for most installations. The engineer will discuss the best entry point with you before any work begins.

Yes, if you're renting a property, you will typically need landlord permission before any broadband installation that requires structural changes (such as drilling holes). This is a legal requirement and part of most tenancy agreements. We recommend obtaining written permission from your landlord before scheduling an installation. Some providers may ask for proof of this permission before proceeding with the installation.

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) and FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) are two different types of fibre broadband connections. FTTC uses fibre optic cables to the street cabinet, then traditional copper wires to your premises, typically offering speeds up to 80Mbps. FTTP brings fibre optic cables directly to your premises, providing much faster speeds (up to 1Gbps or more) and more reliable connections. FTTP is the newer, faster technology but isn't available in all areas yet.

A static IP address is a fixed address assigned to your internet connection that doesn't change. Most residential connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Static IPs are useful for businesses that host servers, use VPNs, or need consistent remote access to their network. If you're running a business that relies on these services, a static IP is recommended. Unlike most providers who charge extra, Uptime Allies includes static IP addresses as standard on all residential and business connections at no additional cost.

Yes, Uptime Allies includes IPv6 support as standard on all our connections. IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol that provides a much larger address space than the older IPv4. This future-proofs your connection and ensures compatibility with the growing number of IPv6-only services and devices. While many ISPs charge extra for IPv6 or don't support it at all, we believe it's an essential part of modern internet connectivity and include it at no additional cost.

The installation time varies depending on the type of connection. For standard broadband or FTTC where a line already exists, activation can sometimes be done remotely within a few days. For new lines or FTTP installations, an engineer visit is required, which typically takes 1-2 hours on the day, but the appointment might be scheduled 2-3 weeks from ordering. Leased lines take longer, usually 45-90 working days, as they require more extensive infrastructure work.

No, despite many ISPs resorting to Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) to conserve IPv4 addresses, Uptime Allies does not use CGNAT at all. We provide all our customers with true public IP addresses. CGNAT can cause issues with certain applications, online gaming, remote access, and hosting services by placing multiple customers behind a single public IP address. By avoiding CGNAT, we ensure you have full control over your connection and can run any services without the limitations imposed by shared addressing.

No, Uptime Allies does not implement any port blocking on our network. Unlike many ISPs that restrict certain ports for security reasons or to limit specific services, we believe in providing our customers with unrestricted access to the internet. This means you can use services like remote CCTV viewing, VPNs, remote desktop connections, and other applications without artificial restrictions. This is particularly valuable for businesses that need to access their systems remotely or monitor their premises through security cameras from anywhere. If we detect any security issues or unusual activity arising from services on your connection, we will proactively contact you to help resolve the situation rather than simply blocking ports.