Broadband Upgrade

[aturner635]

Hi.

I've currently got BT broadband. If I sign up to a new contract I can get the same speeds I've got now for £20 pm cheaper; which seems like a good idea. When I try to add it to an order, it's trying to schedule an engineer to come do the upgrade and possibly drill through the way. But why's any of this needed when I've already got BT broadband? How do I order without it being treat as a new connection? 

Thanks

[licquorice]

It will be needed if the upgrade involves moving to full fibre (FTTP) which is the likely reason.

[iniltous · Accepted solution]

As stated , if FTTP is available in your area , renewing a contract ( or taking a new service from a different provider ) is a perfect opportunity (for BT  and Openreach or the new ISP if you change providers  ) to change your service over to FTTP from FTTC ,  that does  require effectively a new installation hence the need to pick an installation date , the work needed to replace the copper cable service you currently have to ‘full fibre’ , for most this isn’t going to be much upheaval, you could stay on FTTC but would have to stay on your out of contract terms so paying more than necessary …

[aturner635]

Thanks both, I hadn't understood there's a difference between Fibre 1 - which I've got and Full Fibre

[WSH]

Just to clarify then.  Essentially the difference is…

FTTC/VDSL (Part Fibre) is fibre to the cabinet at the end of your street, then the old copper wires to your home.  (FTTC = Fibre to the Cabinet).

FTTP (Full Fibre) is fibre all the way from the “exchange” to your door.  (FTTP = Fibre to the Premises).  It does not even go through the old cabinet.  (And the “exchange” may well not be your traditional exchange at all but a different office).

FTTP involves them bringing a new cable into the house and putting a new box on the wall, called an ONT or Optical Network Terminal.  Effectively, this is the new "master socket" and is about the same size.  It does not necessarily have to be where the old master socket is though.  You can discuss this with the installer on the day but it must be do-able in the time they have and it will require a power socket within reach.  Consequently a bit of thought as to where you want it beforehand would be a good idea and having more than one possible location ready, if your first choice isn't do-able.

[chrisjp]

"I hadn't understood there's a difference between Fibre 1 - which I've got and Full Fibre"

This is a common misunderstanding and caused by BT's insistence on calling their FTTC service "fibre" instead of "part fibre" which is what it actually is.

[iniltous]

But as we know Virgin set the precedent by calling their copper / fibre Hybrid system ‘fibre broadband’ once that designation had been accepted by the advertising authorities, it would hardly be equitable for Openreach FTTC (also a copper / fibre hybrid system) to be disqualified from using ‘fibre’ as a descriptor, plus it isn’t just BT that consume Openreach FTTC , there are many ISP’s that do so and they all use ‘fibre’ to describe the service , to ‘blame’ BT is disingenuous nonsense.