This topic

How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

eebdsirhc — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:25:49 GMT

Openreach just came to install FTTP from the road to our house. Said duct was blocked and that they will have to do a pull through using the current copper cables.
Within a few minutes of him leaving I was sent confirmation of my installation date.
Are these just automaticallygenerated or a sign that he didn't find any show stopper.

Chris

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

36ULW — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:06:55 GMT

A, ‘Pull Through’. Never heard that Terminology before.

Confused as how they plan on doing a, ‘Pull Through’ when the Duct has a Blockage.

Only thing I think they could mean is to use the existing Copper Cable as a Draw Rope for the Fibre.

Bit risky doing that because if they fail to pull the fibre through they might not be able to retract the Copper Cable to reconnect your existing service.

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

eebdsirhc — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:38:53 GMT

OK, thanks for the response. From what the engineer said it was using the existing copper wire to pull through. Does sound a bit risky.
But just after he left I received a text saying "sorry for the delay someone will be intouch within 8 days".

Followed a few minutes later by an email confirming that the ONT will be installed on the original date - no delays.
Just need a way to speak to someone who may know what is going on, but everything keeps leading me back to the normal customer services number, with (at last check) a one hour wait time !

Left hand - right hand ?

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

andydenyer — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:00:20 GMT

I assume that you are trying to get through to BT? Openreach is a completely separate company these days (albeit still part of the BT Group).

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

eebdsirhc — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:46:14 GMT

Yep, trying to get thru' to BT - impossible to speak direct to Openreach -they just bounce everything straight back to BT who claim to manage everything.

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

andydenyer — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:51:55 GMT

That's the correct way to follow it up. Your contract is with BT, not Openreach, and BT liaise with Openreach as a contractor doing the installations. Openreach do not have a direct relationship with domestic customers.

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

eebdsirhc — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:06:34 GMT

I know that's correct - but knowing that doesn't help my problem.
Do you know of anyway of cutting thru' to actually speak to someone who can help without being on the phone for endless hours ?

Many thanks in advance.

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

andydenyer — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:04:58 GMT

Unfortunately not. All I can say is that I got through to someone almost instantly when I had cause to call them early on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago following a query on my order. Calls I made on the Friday and Saturday took around 45mins and 30mins respectively to get through to someone. But thankfully all those that I did eventually speak to were very helpful and between them managed to sort out and resolve the issue with the order.

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

licquorice — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:05:54 GMT

No. Why do you think your problem is more important than any others and deserves a shortcut?

Re: How to chase up a blocked ducting problem on FTTP install.

eebdsirhc — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:34:51 GMT

What ?
I never said that my isssue was more important than anyone elses, but with myself and my wife working from home having to spend upto an hour on the phone (so effectively unable to use it) would be a serious headache.
There are usually people on forums like this that know the ropes and know how to effectively cut out the middle man.

But you are obviously not one of them.