topic Re: Full Fibre in Full Fibre

Full Fibre

Ry2812 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:13:08 GMT

Plusnet sent an email yesterday telling me to upgrade to full fibre or I will be moved to EE. I believe upgrading involves works to be carried out by Openreach.

I would like to know will there be much work involved in upgrading, does the garden or driveway need to be dug up to get me connected?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but just would like to know what is involved. I’m on part fibre with a landline. I don’t use the landline, so, upgrading would be cheaper.

Re: Full Fibre

MisterW — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:19:10 GMT

I would like to know will there be much work involved in upgrading, does the garden or driveway need to be dug up to get me connected?

@Ry2812 post the results for your address from here https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome (obscuring any address details )

particularly the narrative below the availability matrix

Re: Full Fibre

Ry2812 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:32:56 GMT

vailability
High	Low	High	Low
VDSL Range A (Clean)	80	57.3	20	15.1	49	Unavailable	Exception
VDSL Range B (Impacted)	78.7	51.1	20	13.7	40.3	Unavailable	Exception
G.fast Range A (Clean)	--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--
G.fast Range B (Impacted)	--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--

Featured Products	Downstream Line Rate(Mbps)	Upstream Line Rate (Mbps)	Downstream Range (Mbps)	Availability Date	FTTP Install Process
WBC FTTP	Up to 1000	Up to 220	--	Available	1 Stage

Other Offerings	Availability Date
VDSL Multicast	Available

Exchange Product Restrictions	Status
FTTP Priority Exchange	Y
WLR Withdrawal	Y
SOADSL Restriction	N

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential Northern Ireland only turnkey civils install.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

As a fibre priority exchange, FTTP has priority over other products if available at the address

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

This site is in an FTTP priority area where FTTP is available but exceptionally SOGEA will also show as available to order but only at Non-Standard Premises (NSP) such as Hot site, Uninhabitable and Temporary locations. Migrations of WLR Solus (voice-only lines) is also allowed but only for SOGEA 0.5Mbps bandwidths. SOGEA 40/10 bandwidths order is also allowed.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal

Re: Full Fibre

MisterW — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:22:28 GMT

@Ry2812 thanks for that.

Your narrative is a bit unusual

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential Northern Ireland only turnkey civils install.

It seems to be NI specitic, we've seen one similar before. Usually it says whether its an O/H or U/G feed and whether any ducts are clear. The good news is that it says its a '1 Stage' install which means a single visit by an Openreach contractor. That implies that no major problems are anticipated.

This https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist is a useful guide as to what happens for a Full fibre install

Re: Full Fibre

mystreet1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:58:35 GMT

Just got this from a (ai) search

The phrase "Single Dwelling Unit Residential Northern Ireland only turnkey civils install" refers to a BT/Openreach FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) service installation. It indicates that specialized civil engineering work—likely clearing, digging, or laying underground ducting from a nearby footway box to the property—is required to provide full-fibre broadband

Re: Full Fibre

Ry2812 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:34:15 GMT

Thanks for all your replies. I cant be bothered with the hassle and will transfer to EE

Re: Full Fibre

HPsauce — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:47:37 GMT

You might be stymied whatever way you go, as a Fibre Priority exchange any product/contract change could well force you to Full Fibre with EE and paying for an irrelevant "landline" facility delivered by VOIP. Others more expert than me can advise.

You could also look at staying with PN and ditching the landline by moving to a SOGEA connection - Fibre to the cabinet which you already have. Again, that might not be allowed, but worth asking. That will be cheaper.

Re: Full Fibre

bmc — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:07:19 GMT

@Ry2812

I think you're stymied which ever way you go. As stated you're on a Fibre Priority Exchange which means OR will only accept Full Fibre orders so it you move it's Full Fibre. If you stay it's Full Fibre due to the end of PSTN (needed for internet on your connection).

If digging is required they must, I believe, get your permission for the works.

@HPsauce

As it's a Fibre Priority Exchange I do not believe SOGEA is an option unless Full Fibre cannot be installed for technical reasons.

Brian

Re: Full Fibre

HPsauce — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:12:42 GMT

@Ry2812 @bmc Yes that's my understanding, but it's always worth asking. There just may be a "window of opportunity" at present as they're already on FTTC and BT would very much like the landline disconnected at the exchange. Replacing the copper from cabinet to premises I'd guess is further down the line.

Re: Full Fibre

MisterW — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:13:02 GMT

@Ry2812 as @HPsauce says , because you're in a Fibre priority area then Openreach wont accept anything other than a Full fibre order. So no ISP (including EE) will be able to order anything else.

Re: Full Fibre

bmc — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:37:40 GMT

@Ry2812

You could try the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 to see what they say,

Brian

Re: Full Fibre

Ry2812 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:47:44 GMT

Do Plusnet have an email or live chat for customer services anymore? I’ll give them a call, but I think they’ll tell me to upgrade.

Thanks for all your replies😀

Re: Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:50:34 GMT

@Ry2812 wrote:

Do Plusnet have an email or live chat for customer services anymore? 😀

No - it is phone only.

Re: Full Fibre

MisterW — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:56:45 GMT

Do Plusnet have an email or live chat for customer services anymore?

I'm afraid not!.

Given that you don't use the landline, then I'd 'bite the bullet' and go for a Full fibre upgrade. FF is far more reliable than a copper based connection. You're going to have to do it sooner or later...

Re: Full Fibre

bmc — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:57:39 GMT

@Ry2812

I'm afraid you almost certainly have no choice but to upgrade. With PSTN ending you would not be able to receive an insternat service otherwise.

PN appear to be clearing the decks of their remaing phone customers. Unfortunately as you're in a Fibre Priority area SOGEA (internet without a phone on the copper line) probably isn't available.

Brian

Re: Full Fibre

Ry2812 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:05:26 GMT

Sorry if this is a stupid question, do I have to sign up for FTTP, before Openreach come out to do a survey? I don’t want to find out I need a load of work carried out.

Re: Full Fibre

bmc — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:15:02 GMT

@Ry2812

It's a question many have asked before. Generally speaking no survey is done - OR just turn up on the day and discuss what's required.

If digging is expected the Checker would normally KCI2 in place of OneStage - this means a survey first.

However, the Checker message is different to that normally seen and, as stated, may reflect how things are done in NI.

Whatever the actual process is, you need to place the order to kick things off. As previousley stated, you may have no choice in allowing the work (if required) to proceed if you want to keep an internet connection.

Brian