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FTTP - what extent of work will need to be carried out on my property?

bingefeller — Fri, 19 May 2023 13:33:22 GMT

Today I renewed my BT contract and am now getting FTTP installed.

I live in Northern Ireland and I have overhead phone lines. There appears to be a thin wire coming up through the ground and into the front of my house - I have no idea what this is as it isn't fed through a conduit that I can see. I have posted some pictures.

I'm wondering if any work will need to be carried out on my driveway - i.e. will it need to be dug up in any way?

The wholesale checker gives me this info:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.
FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.
As a fibre priority exchange, FTTP has priority over other products if available at the address
WLR is currently available at the exchange
SOADSL is restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.
For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.
This site is in an FTTP priority area where FTTP is available but exceptionally SOGEA will also show as available to order but only at Non-Standard Premises (NSP) such as Hot site, Uninhabitable and Temporary locations. Migrations of WLR Solus (voice-only lines) is also allowed but only for SOGEA 0.5Mbps bandwidths.
Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.
Although VDSL FTTC and SOGEA is showing as currently not available on this cabinet, it may still be possible to place an order for VDSL (FTTC/SOGEA) speed profile of 40/10. Orders will be validated on an individual basis.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.
Mildenhall exchange:Only single order products are available and ADSL and ADSL2+ products are not shown as available.However for premises that can only be served by SOADSL, BT will continue to accept ADSL and ADSL2+ orders until SOADSL is available.

I'm not sure what any of this means. Given the old overhead cables, I'm thinking BT will want to maybe install some kind of new cabling? Our property was built in the 1960s, so it's quite old.

I have uploaded some pictures. Some of are the telephone pole in my street, some are the the wiring that seems to come from underground somewhere, and the other is of where the cable from the telephone pole goes into my house at the top of the door.

I have also posted a picture of the box behind the door - this appears to be where the thin wire goes into.

To me it looks like some work will need to be done to upgrade the wiring.

Re: FTTP - what extent of work will need to be carried out on my property?

jac_95 — Fri, 19 May 2023 14:00:55 GMT

@bingefeller

According to the checker it will be fed from overhead

Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues

They will feed a new fibre optic overhead cable and install an outside customer service point and then bring in the fibre indoor cable into the property to a location within reason.

more info at: https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist

p.s the pictures show very old cables that are copper based - full fibre requires a new cable to be installed that is made of glass/plastic cores where light travels down along with new equipment out and inside your property

Re: FTTP - what extent of work will need to be carried out on my property?

bingefeller — Fri, 19 May 2023 14:42:06 GMT

Thanks @jac_95 . How do they install the new cable? I'm assuming they wont need to dig up my driveway?

Re: FTTP - what extent of work will need to be carried out on my property?

JonUK — Fri, 19 May 2023 14:54:24 GMT

The thin wire is an earth wire.... At one point in it's life, the house possibly had telephony as a party line/shared service. Now not required.

Fibre cable will be fed from telephone pole to CSP on outside of of house, then onto the ONT placed inside near to mains power socket

Re: FTTP - what extent of work will need to be carried out on my property?

bingefeller — Fri, 19 May 2023 15:02:40 GMT

Thanks @JonUK ! Sounds like it will be a very easy job - fingers crossed all goes to plan!!