I have GPON fiber, to which the ISP supplies a fiber converter that puts out ethernet. I am supposed to attach my ISP router to that but there is no issue in replacing that with my own router configured to the right VLAN.
That is uncommon, usually users get a single device that does it all and cannot easily replace the all-in-one with a media converter or single-port ONT.
My ISP uses GPON FTTH and anticipates you to use their all-in-one box they provide.
You can "easily" replace the Freebox, provided you can:
A) find the necessary ipip6 configuration for your region
B) you don't mind losing VOIP and IPTV
It should even be possible to retain IPTV if you route the correct VLAN to their set-top box, but I didn't care enough to go through that.
The amazing part to me is that (IMO) they are selling you a more expensive monthly subscription to get an all-in-one box with a less terrible WiFi implementation. [1]
The standard WiFi experience with their lower-tier all-in-one is terribad, which could easily be solved by buying a WiFi AP and plugging it into their box via Ethernet.
German ISPs do the same thing, by offering you the choice of a basic router or a Fritz!Box for a higher fee. In every instance I have seen, you're better off selecting the cheapest device your ISP will provide, putting it into bridge mode, and using your own router/AP via Ethernet.
> German ISPs do the same thing, by offering you the choice of a basic router or a Fritz!Box for a higher fee. In every instance I have seen, you're better off selecting the cheapest device your ISP will provide, putting it into bridge mode, and using your own router/AP via Ethernet.
That's true, but pretty much everyone chooses the Fritz!Box, cause they're just that great for the price. Easy to use, lots of functionality, and actually really great performance. For a home router, at least.
Plenty of places, and it can be fairly cheap. Here's Ubiquiti's selection for example [0], the basic one is $45-50 [1] (and less in quantity). I don't recommend Ubiquiti stuff much anymore because the company has gone to shit overall sadly, but for specific dedicated application stuff they're still a worthwhile data point. GPON into an SFP is interesting too.
>And how do you clone the serial number of the ONU?
Actually getting support from the ISP for your own CPE would often be the stickier wicket I suspect. My fiber comes from a nice local ISP I've worked with for 20+ years now, I can get right to senior techs and they're happy to do whatever, and indeed are happy to use me as a guinea pig for trying out equipment. Getting the right OLT profile and auth info was just a matter of contacting them. Of course for that very reason it's less important since they're not messing with anyone's stuff anyway. Maybe the kind of ISP you'd most want your own full stack for in most instances is also the kind that'd make it harder/refuse? Though sometimes I've been surprised and with dedication/effort one can slip through the cracks or find an SMB angle.
Yes, my point was that you cannot "just" use your own equipment. There are many hoops to jump through.
Also, most widely sold Unifi equipment is expensive, cheaper devices are very rare to find in limited markets.
I would not consider this available if I have to order it from another country and pay customs + wait weeks for delivery.
And again, the equipment has to be whitelisted by the OLT and most ISPs don't want to that. And cloning the S/N is difficult/impossible.
I think we have two different kinds of ISPs in mind. I'm talking about mass-market monopolies, and you're talking about "artisanal" small ISPs where you can walk into the CEOs office and pass a rack of routers on the way there.
The ISP provides a Fiber 10G-EPON ONU which plugs into their all-in-one. [1]
It is my understanding that subscribers with a Freebox Delta only receive this, since the Delta is SFP+ capable. Since I have the older Freebox Revolution the ISP provided me a media converter which accepts the ONU and provides a normal SFP port which can be plugged into a normal device with an SFP port. [2] Then, you just have to configure the ipip tunnel on your device and you're online.
That is not a common scenario, most people in the world get an ONT with an integrated ONU. For example Huawei HG8245Q2. So in your case obviously you can just plug in any router. But a lot of people get it all in one device. And most ISPs don't let you choose what CPE you get.