Full fibre install - exact install method - survey?

[csadler]

Hi,

We currently have FTTC and contract expires soon.
We are considering FTTP but would like to know exactly how the install would be done.

This is because the master socket and router are currently halfway down a hallway with no external wall next to it, and we'd like the new one to be in exactly the same place as I have network cables running to that location.

Broadband checker says: Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG Feed with no anticipated issues.

I've asked BT for an engineer survey visit , but they have said they will not do this.
They say we'd have to order first, and cancel if we're not happy with the proposed installation method.

Is there any way I can get such a pre install survey?
Or do we have to sign up first and cancel (hopefully without issues) if needed?

TIA for any advice you can offer,

Zebs

[imjolly]

Where does existing cable enter your home - underground and appear in cupboard?

[csadler]

No, sorry should have said

There is a grey conduit coming out of the ground near the front door.
Like a vertical plastic pipe, attached to the wall.
I can see a white cable coming horizontally out of that, along the brickwork then it goes into the house along the bricks at the side of the front door frame.
I don't see it inside the house, it must be inside the walls - there is a box in section.
Edit: The box in does not reach all the way to the master socket

The master socket is then about 3-4 metres further along the hall

I can post a pic if it helps.

[iniltous]

If the survey results are not wrong , your current copper pair appears on the external wall , and there is a cable between that point and where the master socket is located, if the new optical cable can follow the copper then that’s not a problem, but there is a chance that the existing copper cable was installed at first fix by the builder , so is hidden behind walls etc , obviously the new optical cable cannot be installed in this fashion and would be surface wired along skirting boards , over door frames etc , so would be visible cabling, if this  is not acceptable, don’t order .
With any installation, if you and the installer cannot agree a way to site the ONT , basically the installer will walk away and the order ultimately cancelled , in most cases this will leave the existing copper in service ( if provided by the same ISP , or a different ISP using Openreach ) but there is always the chance that you end up with neither the copper pair service or the new FTTP ( especially if you refuse the FTTP install purely for cosmetic reasons ), the installer will ( within reason ) place the ONT where you want it , but don’t expect the cables to be invisible 

[csadler]

Thanks for all that info.

I am not that fussy about seeing the cable inside, it could go inside mini trunking so it doesn't get damaged by shoes etc. I would be fine to supply that if they'd use it.

I'm mainly just wondering how it will get past the front door.
I've attached a picture of the current cable.
As I say, I can't see the cable at the other side of this door, though - it's inside some sort of box-in section, then inside the wall for a few metres.

If I knew I had to, I'd happily pay to get an electrician in to prepare some ducting beforehand.

Outside front door

[36ULW]

BT wouldn’t send one of their Engineers out to Survey internally inside your house, especially given they’re either Power Engineers and or Switch and Data Transmission Engineers and have absolutely nothing to do with the FTTP on the Access Network, which is Built/Maintained/Repaired by Openreach.

The closest thing you’ll ever have to a Survey is a Step 1 Task but not all SNN’s require a Step 1 and even those that do are usually for where the existing Service is Direct in Ground so this only covers the External Work, not the Internal Part.

As already mentioned, any new Cabling would be Surface Mounted. Openreach and or their Contractors are not allowed to Install Inside/Out Cable under Carpets, etc.

[csadler]

They would not even use mini trunking?

So if I want it to run behind the walls and in mini trunking, could one solution be that I install some sort of ducting beforehand?
Would the BT/Openreach guys then be OK to use that?

[36ULW]

From that pic its mostly that was done during build process.

Is that doorframe wooden or UPVC?

Openreach and or their Contractors can drill through wooden door/window frames but not UPVC.

If it’s UPVC they’ll have to go an alternative route with the Cable.

[36ULW]

Yeah, if you want to install Trunking that wouldn’t be a problem. I’m sure they’ll have no beef using it.

[iniltous]

A typical installation on the basis of the photo supplied, the rectangular ‘cover’ ( cover 101a) the grey ‘block’ with ‘T’ on it ( at the top of the grey capping ) is replaced with the CSP ( customer service point ) and hole drilled through the brick to the inside ( so no cable visible like the copper cable ) so instead of going through the door frame goes through the wall , on the inside it’s surface wired along skirting etc to your chosen position ( provided it’s not overly time consuming ) ,

If the other side of the wall that the capping / cover 101 is on isn’t suitable for the cable entry then through the door frame may be possible, it may even be the case ( if you agree ) that the copper cable is removed ,  the existing hole the copper cable was in made bigger , and the new optical cable passed through (provided access it available to it on the inside ) and then surface cabled etc.