topic Re: Congested duct / unadopted road in My Order

Congested duct / unadopted road

tf12 — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:12:08 GMT

Hi - current contract (fttc, unlimited fibre extra) is coming to an end and have been looking at full fibre / fttp. The BT Wholesale availability checker says it's available, but with a 'congested duct'. Also we're at the end of a cul-de-sac where the last 5 properties are unadopted (probably 20m to the 'adopted' part of the road). Had an online chat (on X) with support who confirmed they can provide the service.

My worry is if I order the service if there's a problem it'll only become apparent on the installation day - anyone have experience of this situation?

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

Terranova667 — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:01:13 GMT

Hi, sadly when it comes to Openreach you can never predict anything, I have been waiting over two months so far for my FTTP installation, in what seemed to me to be a straightforward install based on the BTW checker turned into a Survey required and delay after delay, Openreach needing to install 70m of new ducting and last week claiming they can't start until September, I find out this week if it can be brought forward as September is a pee take but will see.

You can only make the order and see what happens just be prepared for what could be long delays, you will be kept on your old FTTC contract until everything is up and running on FTTP so you won't lose anything, but I would ask staff about your contract situation if it's already coming to an end, for me i'm still within so I don't have that to deal with.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

dvorak — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:55:54 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to My Order

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

bmc — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:53:47 GMT

@tf12

If you want FTTP all you can do is press the starting button and hope for the best on the day.

Due to most installs being different you can never tell what's going to happen until the day.

One thing you could check is the following. Full Fibre shows up as WBC FTTP - what does it say over tothe right of this - available, One stage or KCI2

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

Brian

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

tf12 — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:40 GMT

Hi BMC - it says Available, and FTTP Install Process 1 stage

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

bmc — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:12:18 GMT

@tf12

When the backbone network is being installed they do a check on property connections to see if there are any obvious problems. For example, a KCI2 note means a survey is required before the install. They don't spend a lot of time on it as any problems are only problems if an order is placed.

It appears all they noted for you was a congested duct. This is not unknown and potentially can be cleared on the day. If not, installation is delayed while a specialist team gets called into clear the duct - hopefully without digging.

Brian

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

tf12 — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:35:44 GMT

OK thanks for the info, will put an order in and cross fingers...

Bonus question, will the installer (assuming it can be installed) insist on there being a double-socket available nearby? If so does anyone know how long the power cable is?

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

jab1 — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:40:11 GMT

@tf12 The power cable is 1m in length, and it doesn't need to be an actual double socket - I just plugged a four-gang adapter into a single socket.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

bmc — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:19:45 GMT

@tf12

One way of clearing a congested duct is to cut the original incoming copper wire and use it as a draw rope to pull the fibre through the space created. If it works great - if it doesn't you're without an internet service until things get sorted.

There is a certain leeway as to where the ONT is sited - it doesn't have to be at the Master Socket location. Of more importance is the router is connected by an ethernet cable so can go where ever you're willing to run said cable if power is a problem.

I assume you know the upgrade to Full Fibre costs you your phone line.

Always happy to hear how things go.

Brian

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

krusty — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The ont only needs about 4w.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

krusty — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:35:36 GMT

@Terranova667 wrote:

Hi, sadly when it comes to Openreach you can never predict anything, I have been waiting over two months so far for my FTTP installation, in what seemed to me to be a straightforward install based on the BTW checker turned into a Survey required and delay after delay, Openreach needing to install 70m of new ducting and last week claiming they can't start until September, I find out this week if it can be brought forward as September is a pee take but will see.

I'm sorry that you have faced delays. It is though not a pee take! If the dig team is booked up then you will have wait. I do appreciate the frustration.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

Terranova667 — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:53:17 GMT

@krusty hi, if the dig team was booked up I would understand, but they have been in my street for the past week and still are laying ducting for other properties that have ordered FTTP, to me it would make common sense to do it all at the same time, but this is Openreach.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

krusty — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:09:02 GMT

@Terranova667 wrote:

@krusty hi, if the dig team was booked up I would understand, but they have been in my street for the past week and still are laying ducting for other properties that have ordered FTTP, to me it would make common sense to do it all at the same time, but this is Openreach.

It does depend i guess on who is doing the booking of jobs (obviously most are automated) and colating them together.I've seen a small area that has ducts have repeated roadworks. A very valid yet frustrating point made by you.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

Champnet — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:01:59 GMT

@tf12 Power supply. You could consider a small UPS box which would require one power socket and provide two or more power outlets.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

krusty — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:57:39 GMT

idealy ups both the ont and router which would only need between 20 to 35w max

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:21:17 GMT

If the duct is even potentially blocked and/or congested, and the duct is under something like a railway line then would any operator take the risk of using the existing copper as a draw line?

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

bmc — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:22:39 GMT

@Anonymous

As far as I can recall it happened very recently per a post on this forum. The OP raised the possibility that it could happen and was going to suggest it to the engineer if all else failed. They were willing to take the risk.

Unfortunately I can't remember which thread.

And what's a railway line got to do with this?

Brian

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

tf12 — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:23:40 GMT

Took the plunge, OR coming next Friday. Fingers crossed they can install...

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:31:29 GMT

"And what's a railway line got to do with this?"

I know of two properties with ducting carrying active copper telephony/internet lines under operating railway tracks?.

Re: Congested duct / unadopted road

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:07:24 GMT

@Anonymous Good for you but I don't think that is relevant in this thread. 🤗