What is an ONT? | A Complete Guide

You may have seen the term ONT mentioned in a few help articles, and you might be unsure of what this is.

An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is a device used in fibre-optic communication systems. It is typically installed at the customer's premises and is the point where the fibre-optic cable from the outside network connects to the customer's equipment, such as a computer or router.

The ONT converts the optical signals that are carried over the fibre-optic cable into electrical signals that can be used by the customer's equipment.

It's usually a small white plastic box (180mm x50mm x 120mm) mounted on your internal wall. 

Chorus

Enable

Tuatahi First Fibre (TFF)

Does an ONT need power?

Yes, ONTs do need power. The technician will connect a power cable as part of the installation process.

Please ensure that you leave the power cable behind if you move to a new address, as there should be one available at your new address.

If your power chord goes missing, please find out which company installed it and order a replacement. Below are each of the companies that install fibre connections and a link to request a new power cable.

• Chorus
• Enable
• Northpower
• Tuatahi First Power

Where on the ONT do I plug my router into?

If we don't specify otherwise, you will need to connect an ethernet cable from your router's WAN/Internet port to the LAN1/GE1 port on the ONT.

What do the ONT indicator lights mean?

Power light:

• No light = No power to the ONT
• Solid Green light = Powered On

Optical/GPON light:

• No light = No active service on this line
• Solid Red light = Issue detected; check Chorus Outage Map*
• Solid green light = Optical signal is good, and service is available
• Flashing green light = Optical signal is good, and the service is being used

LOS light:

• No light = Normal operation
• Solid red light = signal issue; check Chorus Outage Map*

Alarm light:

• No light = No issues detected, and ONT is working as expected
• Solid Red light = ONT problem detected; contact Zeronet Support
• Solid Green light = No issues detected, and ONT is working as expected

LAN1-4 lights:

• No light = Service not connected on this port. Please make sure your router is plugged into the correct LAN port
• Solid yellow light = Connection provisioned and live on this port
• Flashing yellow light = Connection live and currently being used

UPDATE light:

• No light = Normal operation, no ONT update occurring or update issues encountered
• Solid Red light = ONT update has failed; contact Zeronet Support
• Solid green light = ONT is updating

*If no outage is visible in your area, email care@zeronet.co.nz

Where can an ONT be installed?

The technician installing your connection will determine the best location for the ONT, which will be a part of the installation plan you agree to. 

If you would like it to be installed near your router and other networking gear, then let the technician know, and they will let you know if it is possible. They will prioritise areas where the installation does not disrupt the property's appearance, and the connection is straightforward.

We recommend installing the ONTs with wireless capabilities near the centre of the property; to maximise the coverage.