topic Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it? in Everything else

Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

dltool — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:06:36 GMT

We live in an unusual 1700s house with extremely thick walls and stone floors on the ground floor.

We want to get FTTP full fibre but I'm worried about signing up for a 2 year contract, booking the engineer visit and having them say they can't put it where we want it to go.

We've recently paid for the master socket to be moved to where we'd want the fibre to enter. It was on our bedroom windowsill (also on the back of the house) and we got it moved to the living room immediately below. That engineer wasn't very happy to do it as they couldn't take their ladders through the house to the back (we don't have access except through the house). The line currently comes across the road, around our neighbour's house, goes along their guttering then ours, then down into a jointing box and into the living room. Total distance is around 20-30 metres before it comes into the house.

I've attached a diagram showing the current route in yellow. Where our house looks onto the pavement is our kitchen, with kitchen units all down that wall as that's where the plumbing is. The rest of the road side section is a super thick wall with no electrical sockets to power the line.

Is what we want even possible? And what happens if I sign up then they can't do it, or can only put it somewhere really impractical?

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

jab1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:13:40 GMT

@dltool There is no reason why the FF cable cannot follow exactly the route of your current cable.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

mystreet1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:23:36 GMT

Take it that you have already spoken with your neighbour?

If they don't allow OR to attach a cable to their house, then where you want it is a non starter.

If they do agree, I cannot see any issue with the route. Only The OR engineer!

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

jab1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:25:14 GMT

@mystreet1 There is already a copper cable there, so I don't see a problem.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

mystreet1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:28:47 GMT

@jab1 understand about the existing cable, but that may have been there way before the existing neighbours. It is their property and OR must get their consent to affix something to it.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

MisterW — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:30:36 GMT

There shouldnt be a problem, but Openreach are going to want formal agreement from the neighbours.

@dltool what does the BT wholesale checker say in the narrative below the availability results regarding possible issues ?

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

jab1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:31:56 GMT

@mystreet1 Don't want to argue, but if you read the topic from the start, the existing cable has recently been re-routed, presumably with the neighbours agreement.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

dltool — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:41:47 GMT

Thank you, we're on good terms with our neighbours and they're fine with giving access as long as the engineer is careful and respectful.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

dltool — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:53:31 GMT

@MisterW The first line underneath all the data says "Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed alternate L2C solution required." WBC FTTP says 1 stage.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

MisterW — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:57:55 GMT

@dltool i believe that translates as

"The fibre optic cable is coming in overhead, but the engineers cannot safely use the Tetra ladder system (where it's anchored into a wall to provide safety). Therefore another option needs to be devised."

Probably means they would do a survey before committing to an install

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

mystreet1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:23:45 GMT

@dltool do your neighbours want FTTP?

Might be easier to get OR to install two lines at the same time, and get you a referrer bonus from PN 😁

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

bmc — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:52:33 GMT

@dltool

I think you'll need to bite the bullet and just order Full Fibre - then wait and see what happens.

Sounds like OR will either do a pre survey to figure out what to do or the engineer on the day will take a decision. Either way, you'll need to be present.

Brian

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

dltool — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:52:35 GMT

@mystreet1 haha good idea!

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

mystreet1 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:31:15 GMT

@dltool

Offer to 'foot the ladder'/bag of sand on the bottom rung.

Or run the cable in yourself, will do a better job as it is your/your neighbours property.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

RobPN — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:31:09 GMT

@dltool

Is there actually a gap between your house and neighbour2 as shown in your diagram?

If so, that might be an alternative cable route.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

dltool — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:46:43 GMT

@RobPN There is, but it's very narrow - wheelie bin width at its widest point. Could be an option if the engineer is very skinny!

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

bmc — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:01:52 GMT

@dltool

You could consider bringing the connection in through the front. The router is connected via an ethernet cable so can go where ever you're happy / able to run said cable.

If there is a gap down the side wall you could get someone in to run an external ethernet cable round the outside of the property.

Brian

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

HPsauce — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:10:14 GMT

@bmc that's an important point, personally I don't know exactly how a full FTTP installation is configured, but for difficult installations it's obviously important to know where you can be flexible on location especially where it won't impact performance of connection and/or internal networks.

With ADSL and (to maybe a lesser extent) VDSL it's important to limit the distance between the master socket and router, but I gather FTTP installation has a rather more complex installation and different constraints.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

HPsauce — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:41:36 GMT

This might help somewhat: Openreach modem (ONT) explained: Ports and models available | BT Help

Normal limits on ethernet cables are 100 metres so placing your router some distance away from the ONT shouldn't be a problem in a domestic setting.

Good old Cat5e cable is fine for that, it will happily run Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 metres.

So the suggestion to run your own ethernet cable from a convenient (for BT) ONT location to a separate convenient (for you) router is a good one well worth considering.

Re: Full fibre - what happens if engineer can't put it where we want it?

bmc — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:49:55 GMT

@HPsauce

I think that page is well out of date. ONT's have moved on. This page might be better.

https://support.aa.net.uk/Openreach_FTTP_ONT

Brian