topic Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes in Full Fibre

How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:09:20 GMT

I hope someone could help with a query.

My son is shortly to move into a new build block of flats (built 3-4 years ago). According to Plusnet (and other suppliers), there is full-fibre broadband available for his flat. General address is: Canal Street, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, MK9 4BX.

Question: how does the full-fibre connection get into the block of flats (without external boxes being fixed to the outside wall and holes being drilled through the wall). There is some form of socket on the wall in the flat (see attached photo), but we can't tell what it's used for.

Unfortunately, the landlord isn’t able to explain how the flat is connected to various supplier’s broadband, other than people have broadband in the flats and you’re not allowed to drill holes or attach boxes to external walls.

Thanks

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

jab1 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:18:47 GMT

Ask other tenants how they are connected, and to what? That socket is nothing to do with any form of telecoms.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:23:42 GMT

Thanks. I think that’s we’ll have to do. Cheers.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:30:13 GMT

@duncanda59

Is it definitely Openreach fibre in Campbell Park, and not CityFibre?

Campbell Park is only a short distance from me, and for us, the only FTTP is currently from CityFibre.

Also, when I put "MK9 4BX" in to the BT Availability checker, it didn't give any results:

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome

However, the CityFibre checker does:

https://cityfibre.com

Plusnet, (and also BT and EE), will only use the Openreach network.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:43:53 GMT

Hi. When I select his flat, the Cityfibre site states this, “THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST, WE HAVEN'T PLANNED YOUR AREA AT THE MOMENT.” Whereas the Openreach says “Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband” is available. Thanks looks like a really nice area.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Mustrum — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:55:19 GMT

@duncanda59 is it Regents Court by any chance?

If so if there is not already an ONT there they may struggle as it appears Openreach has no network capacity for new ONT's at the address.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:00:11 GMT

Yes, it’s Regents Court. Thanks

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Mustrum — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:12:49 GMT

@duncanda59 and to answer your original question. There will be a central distribution point and if each flat is not already prewired they would use service ducts and panels to get fibre into each flat, in the same way electric and water get there.

No need to run a new fibre to an outside wall.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:15:18 GMT

The flat was previously let and we’re hoping that the cabling is all there and that there’s a patch panel somewhere in the basement that the supplier hooks up. Thanks

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

bmc — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:22:12 GMT

@duncanda59

Use the Address version of the following. Enter the post code and select the address from the drop down list.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

If you can post a screen image of the results after hiding your details it would be of assistance in providing advice. Of particular interest is the narrative below the results window.

Brian

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

RobPN — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:17:25 GMT

@duncanda59 wrote:
... Whereas the Openreach says “Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband” is available.

@duncanda59

Did the narrative under the results table not say whether an ONT is already installed in the flat?

IIRC, you're looking for a line which begins "ONT exists ... "

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Mustrum — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:40:32 GMT

@RobPN Openreach does not go to that level of detail, it is the BTW checker that does.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

RobPN — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 20:24:08 GMT

@Mustrum

Oops, yes - not paying attention, I posted too hastily thinking the OP had used the checker referred to in Message #4 above.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Dan_the_Van — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:01:26 GMT

@duncanda59

You say the property is 3 to 4 years old, it could be that full fibre as been laid to the flat as around 2020 all new build properties were mandated to have fibre rather than copper. I did a random check on a few flats with the post code you provided, using https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome this is the result.

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Multi Dwelling Unit Residential UG Feed with no anticipated issues. ONT exists with active service. A spare port may be available or a single port ONT may be swappable to a multiport ONT. Network is at capacity so a new ONT cannot be ordered.

In the flat have you seen a Openreach ONT see https://www.bt.com/help/broadband/whats-an-openreach-modem-ont for various models that could have been installed.

It could be the previous owner removed the ONT when they moved out.

HTH

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Baldrick1 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:16:49 GMT

@duncanda59

Your photo is not very clear. Is one of them a shuttered Ethernet socket? If so it is quite likely that this is directly connected to an ONT located in a distribution cabinet in the building. If so, all that is required is a router plugging in here once you have an active ISP service.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Dan_the_Van — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:35:27 GMT

@Baldrick1

The switch is labeled for a fan I suggest it could be a unswitched fuse rather than your suggestion

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:19:16 GMT

Hi. Yes this is what it states for his specific flat. Does that mean there's an ONT somewhere in the flat and it would be available for a supplier to enable?

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

bmc — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:33:21 GMT

@duncanda59

Thanks for the screen image.

Yes, the ONT will look like the pictures.

Given the cable has already been run to the flat and OR think there's an ONT the only question now is capacity.

Is you son starting a new PN account or moving an existing service?

Either way I would suggest phoning PN sales and ask them about whether an order can be placed or not.

Brian

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

duncanda59 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:37:33 GMT

Thanks Brian

It'll be a new service and so we'll give PN a call.

Thanks to all contributors to my question. Brilliant forum.

Re: How Full-fibre into new build block of flats? - Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

MisterW — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:56:52 GMT

As @bmc said earlier , it looks like the building was kitted out for FTTP during the build.

To summarise, the BT wholesale checker says there's an existing ONT, so Plusnet will be able to place an order. It should be able to be placed as a remote activation and so will only take a couple of days to activate. It might take slightly longer to get the router delivered but it shouldn't!.

There's two possibilities as to the actual installation:-

1) The ONT is located in a common communications area and an ethernet cable as been installed to the flat, terminating in an RJ45 faceplate, into which you connect the router.

2) The ONT is hidden somewhere in the flat in a utility cupboard and (maybe) there's an ethernet cable to a more conveniently located socket as above.

In the case of 2), make sure the ONT remains powered after you place the order. Openreach will do an automated test to check the ONT is functional, if it fails , the order will revert to requiring an engineer visit and will take around 10 days. I would assume if its 1) above the the ONT is powered from common building supplies and should always be powered.