This topic

Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:51:53 GMT

Had three guys from Open Reach install an underground Fibre cable across 80 metres of my garden. The cable runs through ducting of about 20mm in diameter, the conduit is made up of a semi flexible metal inner coated with a plastic outer.

The fibre cable within the ducting is very near the surface, at most 100mm below the surface and in most places less than 50mm! I expressed my concern to the Open Reach guys and they said it was normal to lay cable at this depth!

I will take every care not to damage the cable but I am know restricted in what I can do with my garden, for example I can not use a mechanical edger on the lawn or use a lawn aerator as the spikes would go through the ducting/cable.

Has anyone here had a similar experience and who would be responsible for repairing the fiber cable when it gets damaged or cut

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

licquorice — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:08:00 GMT

100mm seems rather shallow, https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/utility-depths.htm would suggest 450mm which to me seems overly deep.

As far as damage is concerned, I'm afraid if you damage the cable you are responsible for paying Openreach to repair it. However, if Openreach haven't buried it sufficiently deep, the point is moot.

I'm sure @Starwire will be along at some point with chapter and verse.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:09:57 GMT

Many thanks for your prompt reply, I will take this up with BT as they are scheduled to have Openreach do the final connection within the house next week.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

pippincp — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:21:30 GMT

While waiting for @Starwire don't forget fibre has a kevlar layer of protection that should make it pretty robust.

https://www.cablexpress.com/education/blog/what-are-fiber-optic-cables-made-of/

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 11:21:39 GMT

Many thanks for the link.

Have obtained a copy of Openreach Duct Laying Guide for developers.

Cable TV and Communications minimum of 250mm

"Ducting to the building
Duct to the premises/building must be laid at a
minimum depth of 250mm and be as straight
as possible"

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

pippincp — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:08:52 GMT

You can complain about the quality of work HERE.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Starwire — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:59:16 GMT

That’s that new tube Ducting stuff. Don’t have much experience with that stuff.

Also sounds like you’ve had what Openreach call a, ‘Soft Dig’.

What you’re looking at is Openreaches Developers Guide to building a Network on a Greenfield Site. You live on a Brownfield Site so doesn’t really fall under the same recommendations.

At least it’s buried better than VM’s duct, which they usually just lay on the surface and they advise you sedimentation will naturally bury it over the course of a few thousand years.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:08:50 GMT

Many thanks for link, by pure chance I had actually done that. Now waiting for Openreach to contact me.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:10:05 GMT

Many thanks for your reply. I am now waiting for Openreach to contact me

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:56:34 GMT

Just to let you know Openreach agree the cable is not at the correct depth of between 250 and 300mm. However we have reached a compromise whereby Openreach has, in writing, agreed to repair cable free of charge.

Thanks everyone for your input

Andy

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

robbo6 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:20:39 GMT

Hi Andy. I’m going through the same scenario !
I have sent over a copy of what was said in this conversation.
Would you be able to tell me where this happened as that’s what I have been asked to provide? Or a reference ? Thanks

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

robbo6 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:25:19 GMT

Hi Andy. Really need your help can you provide me with the location this happened or a reference? I have just struck a cable probably not much deeper than 50mm and openreach are trying to make me pay for it ! No ducting no sand no warning tape !! I’d really appreciate your help.
Thanks

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

pippincp — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:42:05 GMT

@robbo6Did you use the link in message 6 to contact Openreach?

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:26:58 GMT

Hi Robbo,

the post code of the property is ME17 3NR - near Maidstone Kent.

I refused to allow connection of the fiber cable until they agreed to bury at least 300mm deep as per Open Reach guidance, rather than do this they came up with the comprise of them accepting responsibility for damage. They confirmed this by email ............ I will look up the email and copy it onto here

Andy

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

licquorice — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:43:08 GMT

Please delete the email as it contains personal information. Send it via PM if you must.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

robbo6 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:46:44 GMT

Thanks so much 👍

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

bob19 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:05:55 GMT

I have the same problem. The cable is about 100mm under a lawn and about 50mm under a flower border which is regularly dug. The problem is made worse by the fact that openreach give no notice before they come to do the work and start the dig, even when there is someone in the house. In my case they had to smash the duct at the branch to be able to pull the cable and then backfilled the hole without making good the large hole in the duct. A gang of cowboys.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Andy1234 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:16:57 GMT

Absolute cowboys and liars.

Re: Underground Fibre Broadband Cable

Starman — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:41:15 GMT

You'll have to take your concerns and potential complaints up with Openreach directly no comments made here will reach OR.

Sadly it appears that laying cables in general is a lost art and people cut corners to avoid digging the extra couple of inches. But all these standard do not necessarily apply within private properties only the public highway and even then not always followed to the letter.