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Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

Bruschan — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:25:23 GMT

I recently placed an order for Full Fibre via another supplier, only to be claimed by their Engineer that the router needs to be placed in the back of the building to a pole some 30 metres away at the back. However, the nearest fibre pole is in the front of the building some 10-12 feet away. When I questioned the logic to the engineer pointing at the pole outside, he claimed it was only for copper wire, but said he was incorrect as I had already checked with Openreach engineers that this pole has the full fibre connection, but as a fibre connection was placed to the flat next door to me in the same building. Openreach engineers confirmed this. I have decided to try BT instead but how can I get reassurance they can use the nearest pole which is where I want the router connection to be placed?

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

iniltous — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:50:40 GMT

When it comes to FTTP , each address is allocated to a CBT (CBT’s have their own unique identification number ) , a CVT is the connector block at the top of the pole , the installation tech uses the CBT allocated to the address to give you service , because your service is designed to be at that particular CBT number , so if that’s the CBT on the pole to the rear , then that’s what get used, that’s irrespective of the ISP that’s raised the order it’s the way Openreach designed the network , the tech can’t pick and chose the pole to use , it’s already predetermined on the job information pack , so if your address is designated to the CBT on the pole at the rear that’s what get used .

It is odd to have poles with CBT’s to the front and rear serving the same block of flats , with some flats within the building using one pole and others flats using a different pole , but presumably that’s how it was designed to be.

TBH what difference does it make to you if the pole used is 30 metres away or 3 metres away as long as it provides the service to your flat .

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

Bruschan — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:02:45 GMT

The difference is where my existing copper wire connection and router phone port etc and area where I work from is in the front of the building. Where they want to put it the complete otherside of the building and would require much cabling to go through internal walls to the required work area

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

imjolly — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:10:22 GMT

where does your existing copper phone cable enter your home - which pole does it come from front or back?

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

iniltous — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:11:16 GMT

In which case changing the ISP won’t change the fact the service is going to enter from your point of view on the wrong side of the building, you can always run your own Ethernet cable from the likely position of the ONT to where you want the router , or pay for an ‘extra’ installation where the tech can spend more time inside running cables internally, but the tech can’t simply chose to use the nearer pole, that’s already been decided by the planner .
You could stay on the service you have , if this is a deal breaker.

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

Bruschan — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:35:35 GMT

The copper wire to the flat comes from the pole in the front of the building as does the fibre to adjacent flats. Openreach engineer confirmed both. I believe there are 2 listings for the building, as was told by ISP for a long time they could not offer full fibre and then recently they said they could, as was planning to switch ISP but then this query raised they could not technically check and would not know which pole would be used. I was not sure if BT could offer a paid for option to run wiring to the same area that I work from

Re: Full Fibre Connection to correct pole

36ULW — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:34:32 GMT

It’s possible the CBT on the Pole out front is fed from a different PON to the CBT at the back, which means it’s on a different Head End Port, potentially even a completely different Head End.

They could potentially have your NAD Key Reset and assigned to the CBT and its corresponding Splitter/Head End but it depends on what the Capacity is like. Could already be maxed out as a Head End Port can supply service to a max of 32 subs.