Configuring BSNL FTTH

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BSNL-provided routers are bad. They are horribly slow, have poor range, and are not very secure. Their routers cost ₹3,000. For the same price, you can get much better hardware. Here’s how to set up BSNL FTTH with your own hardware.

Requirements

The ONU must be TEC-certified. A list of TEC-certified products can be found at the MTCTE Portal. If you really don’t want to go that route, you can spoof your MAC address to match a TEC-certified ONU. I had a BSNL-provided combo device, so I spoofed my MAC to that. You can also use a TEC-certified combo device with another router by using bridge mode. You can find instructions in this Reddit post.

If you have a GPON connection, you’ll also need the serial number of your BSNL combo device.

I have a TP-Link XZ000-G7 XPON ONU and a TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router. I’ve provided step-by-step instructions for these devices, but the configuration is the same for any ONU and router. You just have to find where each setting is located.

ONU Configuration

Connect to your ONU using an ethernet cable. The TP-Link ONU doesn’t have a DHCP server by default, so you’ll have to configure IP assignment manually. Follow these instructions for Windows. On Linux, you can do this from NetworkManager settings.

IP Address192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask255.255.255.0
Gateway192.168.1.1

Now go to 192.168.1.1, set a password for your ONU, and log in. Go to Advanced, Network, and select VLAN Settings. Set “VLAN mode” to “VLAN TAG mode”, enter your VLAN ID, and set “Priority” to 1. You can also turn on the DHCP server if you want easier access to your ONU in the future. You can now disconnect the ethernet and connect your ONU to the router.

If you have a GPON connection, go to XPON Settings and set serial number type to ASCII+HEX, then enter your BSNL router’s serial number. Set the password to 1234567890.

Router Configuration

Connect to the router using ethernet or Wi-Fi. TP-Link also has an app to configure routers, you can use it if you like. Go to 192.168.0.1 and go through the setup process. Set your connection type to PPPoE and enter your PPPoE username and password (password is password). If you’re migrating from another router, you’ll need to change your new router’s MAC address to the old one. Go to Advanced, Network, Internet, set “Router MAC Address” to “Use Custom MAC Address”, then enter your old MAC address. Finally, you need to configure MTU. Go to Advanced, Network, Internet, Advanced Settings, and change your MTU value to 1492. BSNL caps MTU to 1492 across India.

Depending on your area, you might get IPv6 support. You can use the same PPPoE credentials for IPv6 as well.

Support

If you have any problems or questions, check out the India Broadband Forum or the BSNL Telegram group.