topic Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens in My Order

Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:03:50 GMT

With the way business is conducted these days, which is pretty shambolic, I thought I'd start a record of my experience with the hope that at least one request might go to plan....but I hold little hope lol.

So this starts Friday 21st Jan when I submit the order to upgrade from copper to fibre (fttp) and I've a provisional date of install of Friday 21st Feb PM.

Having read the OpenReach....'this is what happens' I thought I'd wait a few weeks to see what indeed 'does happen'

Now, I know I require fibre to be run from the cab to my house so come Monday 10th I call PlusNet and query how the engineer is going to install the box, etc when I've received no sniff of a communication, survey, etc to look at my block paving (I know the location of the conduit/trunking is because It was uncovered summer '24 when my path was re-laid). All this was following those idiots at CityFibre who couldn't locate water in a running river!

I was advised by the PlusNet agent that yes, it's scheduled but I got the impression it was out of their control and frankly being fobbed off and from reading around OpenReach will probably cancel at the last minute to re-schedule. I will of course apologise in due course if any of my impressions are proven incorrect.

So I'm going to wait until Monday 17th Feb to see if any little fairies arrive and magically engineer a cable run.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

jab1 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:36:38 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo If your current feed is underground, as you suggest, it would be helpful to us if you could give sight of the full results from : https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL , or https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome , if you on SOGEA - in both cases, obscure personal details.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

MisterW — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:48:05 GMT

but I got the impression it was out of their control

@sparkymarcopolo in effect it is!. Its all under Openreachs control, only if they fail to meet the scheduled date can Plusnet get involved.

For information , there are three processes for an FTTP install and the information requested by @jab1 from the checker will state what is applicable in your case. They are:-

1-Stage - where Openreach expect to turn up on the day, run fibre from the DP, install a CSP and ONT and complete the installation.

2-Stage - where the first visit installs fibre from the DP and possibly the CSP. A second visit installs the ONT and completes the installation.

KCI2-Assure - this is where OR think there may be work required to route the fibre from the DP. An initial survey visit occurs (usually within a week of order) to assess the work required and plan it. Only then is a committed date given on which the install is completed.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:53:53 GMT

Here's my results, I used this link because I could not provide details for the other https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:57:07 GMT

@MisterW which is great, it's a shame or should I be surprised that it doesn't match their own process of the installation stages.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

MisterW — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:02:05 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo yours is shown as a 1-Stage install, which means that OR dont expect problems, and will turn up on the scheduled day and complete the install. You have a 2.5" Duct through which the existing line is routed, they will likely use the existing cable to pull the fibre through.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:11:56 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo Looks good to me. A single stage installation with a 2.5 inch underground duct. Can't get much better than that, actually you can get the ultimate "Duct proven clear" in the text but as long as there is no major blockage or damage to the ducting you should be OK.😀

You need a confirmed date from Openreach, may be worth chasing Plusnet for this.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:21:30 GMT

This is what we came across about 12 inches from our front door. Look like BT originally when the other side of the door as there's an indicator or another conduit too

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

bmc — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:33:37 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo

It is out of PN's control. Once you received a confirmed install date the only thing PN do after this is to order up a Hub2 if you're getting a new router.

You don't hear from OR either unless there's a survey done as part of KCI2. All things being equal they turn up on the day and get the job done. You should get a phone call on the day to advise the expected time of arrival.

The fibre cable is run throught the duct to an (usually) external box called a Customer Splice Point (CSP). It then gets brought inside to the Optical Network Terminator (ONT) which requires power. There is a bit of leeway as to where this goes - you talk to the installer on the day. I would show him the picture you posted as it'll help.

Brian

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

mystreet1 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:43:24 GMT

Might gave a problem then. OR expect that the ducting goes right up to the wall.

You will need to expose the end of the ducting. Will that mean lifting some paving blocks?

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:39:15 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo Where does the cable coming out of the duct go? Cables are not supposed to come out into the soil. Not sure what's happening on the other side of the door, what do you mean by an indicator? Could you post a photo?

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

jab1 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:41:56 GMT

I thought that 'arrangement' looked a bit iffy too, @RealAleMadrid .

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:59:47 GMT

The picture above showing the conduit and cable is what the paver came across last year, since then and what they advised, they've extended the conduit to the house where the existing cable enters the wall.

...and yes, there is now block paving installed, before it was paving slabs. I'm of the understanding that OR will access and put right anything they disturb.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

Baldrick1 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:01:42 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo

This does not look good.

This is a recent installation:

Note the bung stopping soil etc. entering the duct. If this is missing the duct might well be blocked.

I would prepare for the installation to be postponed until a different 'dig team' have come and cleared (if required) and completed the duct installation. Just make the installation technician aware of the situation before your existing service is removed.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:15:36 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo So you are saying that the duct (conduit) in your photo now reaches the house wall. In that case providing it is clear of soil or debris there should be no problem getting the fibre connection installed.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:46:54 GMT

@RealAleMadrid I'm saying the pavers mentioned they'd extended the conduit but whether or not they have I do not know.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

bmc — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:06:03 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo

I don't see how the "pavers" could extend the conduit without disconnecting the cable.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that when OR turn up to do the install they can't run the fibre cable and have to delay the install while another team gets booked to come out and fix the duct. If you're in the mood you could always dig down the edge of the paving to see the state of play with the duct / copper cable.

If the paving needs lifted then OR are responsible for putting it back in though in my experience it never quite looks the same.

Just out of interest how far from the edge of the paving does the duct end?

Brian

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:06:08 GMT

@Baldrick1 I'll await the call then and mention it to the engineer.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

sparkymarcopolo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:12:52 GMT

@bmc Who knows...but I know City Fibre had issues but they did little or no investigation and walked away. It wasn't until I had the path block paved this was uncovered....the cable then fed into into a 10mm conduit.

As mentioned in one of my other replies, from the edge of the conduit to the wall it's about 12 inches (but that my door/step area)....but if following the angle the cable needs to go at it about 36 inches.

Re: Let's track my order together and see what happens

bmc — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

@sparkymarcopolo

Can you post a picture of the drive as it is now whith the end of the duct (per your previous picture) marked on it. Just to give us an idea of things.

The OR call is usually just to say "I'm on my way" - I'd wait until they arrive to discuss it with them. You confirm the location of the internal ONT and that they're happy with how things look.

Brian