MDU ( multi dwelling units ) , so apartments, flats etc , where all the units have a common entrance leading to internal front doors for each unit , and the existing copper pair distribution is internal , ( so instead of an individual wire from a pole to each flat , it’s all hidden internal wiring ) , are not picked up when OR initially build an area with FTTP .
In overhead areas ( telegraph poles) overhead wasn’t normally used on MDU’s , as it could be complicated , if the pole were at the front and some flats were on the opposite side of the building , and would look terrible, so , in general, MDU have an underground cable into a common area and individual internal cables run to each flat , these MDU are excluded from the initial OR FTTP build .
It is common for close by neighbours that are SDU ( single dwelling units ) to be able to order and all the units with in the MDU ( flat 1 , flat 2 etc ) are not to be able to order ….if and when MDU’s are picked up for FTTP deployment they can be complicated, thats why they are excluded from the initial build , it’s a different OR build programme that look at these , the legal aspects alone can be time consuming and in some cases even if permissions are given , retro fitting internal optical wiring to a MDU , may be challenging.
Obviously a house converted into a small number flats could be reassigned from MDU to several SDU if the existing external network allows for this , especially if the original large house were served overhead, but obviously it depends on its situation, and if it’s been designated as MDU that ( for the time being ) may be that.
