This topic

Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:54:40 GMT

Hi everyone, me again about my Full Fibre install. So basically we ordered FTTP in December and we have an existing copper phone line buried from my garage through a field to the road with no ducting. Openreach came and want to install a new overhead cable which would be free install but they said the overhead cable would have to be attached and come across my neighbours house and they would not want this. Also my father does not want an overhead cable as he thinks the bracket on the side of the house looks bad. I wouldn't really care myself but because he owns the house I'm having to work around him as he is being insistent.

So, we had many surveys done by Openreach to put a new full fibre cable in ducting across the field and to the road about 100m away, and after the latest survey yesterday we've been quoted £4400 of which BT will pay £3500 and we have to pay £900 to have this completed. My father said he doesn't understand how it can be so much for this and I am wondering should it not be free because of two reasons. 1. Our existing copper cable is underground and 2. My neighbours don't want any wires or new poles installed on their property which would be Openreach's preferred method if they installed overhead for free.

Can anyone offer any advice? I've called BT and they don't seem to be able to advise.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

licquorice — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:32:16 GMT

I'm amazed that you can get the work done for £900 rather than the full amount.

Openreach have offered you a free solution, you chose to refuse it, your choice.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:36:09 GMT

@licquorice The free solution will not work due to my neighbours as stated therefore your response is not helpful in the slightest.

Also, it is not my choice unfortunately, it is my father's otherwise I wouldn't have this problem!

£4400 seems a lot to dig a trench in a field and could be done much cheaper privately.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:53:04 GMT

Presumably the field is your property.

Ask Openreach the specs that they require for the trench and duct then get a private contractor to quote for doing the trench and ducting then ask BT to requote without them having to do that work.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

-Richie- — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:54:40 GMT

@mrdaveyywrote:
So, we had many surveys done by Openreach to put a new full fibre cable in ducting across the field and to the road about 100m away, and after the latest survey yesterday we've been quoted £4400 of which BT will pay £3500 and we have to pay £900 to have this completed.

Is this through the USO process ? normally BT won't contribute, anyways the charges are know as ' excess construction charges' raised if Openreach have to carry out extra work to provide your service.

You can read more info on the Openreach site Excess Construction Charges (ECCs)

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:22:46 GMT

I just got a cost breakdown

ECC chargeable items

Survey = 268.87

Duct in soft unsurfaced x 95m = 2842.4

JB23 =197.69

Other = 1000

Total = 4308.96

Build days = 40

I have no idea what "other" means and 268.87 seems excessive for a survey that was pretty simple.

Also 40 work days seems very unreasonable for this

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:33:29 GMT

£900 for a bespoke install sounds like a bargain to me.

Why do you think 40 days is excessive?

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:37:22 GMT

@Anonymous really? I'm not that experienced but I'm surprised ducting costs so much and my dad seems unkeen to pay lol.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:37:56 GMT

You have been offered a free option from Openreach you have rejected it. You have been quoted a price for your father's preferred type of install which you feel is too expensive.

It has been suggested that you get the work done by a private contractor, the price of which may well surprise you if you decide to down that route.

The bottom line is that Openreach have quoted their price for the install. It is entirely up to you if you accept it or not and complaining about the cost on this forum will not get the quote reduced.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:40:08 GMT

Why would your father be responsible for paying for your broadband upgrade? Just pay it yourself.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:40:36 GMT

@gg30340 I am not simply complaining about the cost, I am querying it. Also as I have stated the free install will not be suitable regardless.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:43:29 GMT

@Anonymous well he doesn't want me paying either and it is his property not mine. I feel like I'm under interrogation on this forum lol

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

licquorice — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:43:46 GMT

The fact that it is unsuitable (to you) is immaterial. You (in the broader sense) have refused the option of a free install, you are therefore are responsible for the charges.

As @Anonymous says, £900 sounds an absolute bargain.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:45:25 GMT

@licquorice it is unsuitable for my neighbours which is the point. They do not want a wire on their house which was Openreach's preferred install method.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:47:46 GMT

Would it not be better to query the cost with Openreach that gave you the quote who would be able to explain why it is what it is?

Does your neighbour have broadband and have you discussed it with them as regards the benefits and shared costs should they ever wish to "upgrade" to Full Fibre.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:51:15 GMT

@gg30340 They have full fibre already overhead but do not want more wires attached to their house which is what openreach was proposing due to the position of the houses and poles.

When I tried to query with openreach they said speak to BT, when I tried to query with BT they said pay. Lol.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

licquorice — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:52:36 GMT

@mrdaveyy wrote:

@licquorice it is unsuitable for my neighbours which is the point. They do not want a wire on their house which was Openreach's preferred install method.

Hence my you (in the broader sense)

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:56:34 GMT

@mrdaveyy wrote:

@gg30340 They have full fibre already overhead but do not want more wires attached to their house which is what openreach was proposing due to the position of the houses and poles.

When I tried to query with openreach they said speak to BT, when I tried to query with BT they said pay. Lol.

Whose land does their full fibre cable cross and poles located to get to their property? If it is your father's land does he have a way leave agreement to allow that? If he does he could always withdraw that agreement if the neighbour won't allow a cable on his property.

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

mrdaveyy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:08:08 GMT

@licquorice I am not my neighbour and cannot control this.

@gg30340 they are beside road and have existing pole and it is their property

Re: Full Fibre Install Cost

gg30340 — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:16:29 GMT

Nothing further to add.

Keep us posted on what if anything you do and in particular if you get a private contractor to supply ducting to Openreach's standard.