How Long Does It Take?

[#1]

Hey @DerekW,

I checked Openreach's site, and it still says, "Build planned between now and June 2025." I'm not completely sure how Openreach updates its records, but I can help you. If I don’t see any updates by the end of this month, I can submit a request to Openreach to chase this for you. However, since it is still June, I cannot raise the request just yet.

[#2]

@DerekW 

It's entirely possible your neighbour accross the street is on a different fibre "circuit" which has gone live but the circuit covering you hasn't as yet.

Brian

[#3]

Hi,

I contacted Openreach myself to pose the question on why I could not get full fibre when my neighbours could.

I got a response from them that said:

"As your property is classified as a multiple dwelling unit (MDU), additional work is required to supply your building. We must obtain legal permission from the landlord, managing agent, or freeholder before installing the necessary equipment.

The building owner, managing agent, or legal representative must register their interest by completing the form on the link below. Our MDU specialist will then contact them to discuss installing full fibre in your building."


However this is not correct and they have assumed that my property is part of the MDU and it is not, it is a separate property, just like my neighbours who can now get full fibre.

I replied back to Openreach and informed them of their error and this was then escalated up to their second level support.

I heard back from them on Thursday and this is what they said.

"I've had a look at this for you, and we need to investigate this matter further; however, it looks like this should hopefully just be a simple records update to associate your property with some nearby fibre equipment - we will be back in touch within the next 5 working days.

We’ve got all of your details, so we shouldn’t need anything else before coming back to you. Thanks for your patience in the meantime – if you have any questions then please reply to this email."  

As soon as I hear back from them again I will update this thread.

Best,

Derek

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[#4]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has taken me so long to update this thread but it has taken this long to get anywhere with much backward and forward's with Openreach & my landlord

Openreach have now associated my property to some nearby fibre equipment and the postcode checker is now saying full fibre is available to order 😁

Happy days.... I hope

[#5]

Quick question for the PlusNet staff... will I be sent a new router?

I have always used my own router, will I still be able to use that?

[#6]

@DerekW 

Quick question for the PlusNet staff... will I be sent a new router?

If you request one during signup, then yes

I have always used my own router, will I still be able to use that?

Providing it has a WAN port, yes.

If you tell us the make/model then we can check that its suitable, particularly that it can handle the thoughput if you are going for one of the faster FF packages

[#7]

@MisterW 

I have a TP-Link Archer VR2800 and it has a WAN port

I have gone for the fastest fibre package available.

I did not se an option to request a router during sign up 

[#8]

@DerekW the VR2800 is a bit long in the tooth now. It only has a dual core 1ghz processor and, whilst it has coprocessors to handle the wifi, it may struggle to handle a 900Mb internet connection. This https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/634072 would seem to indicate it may max out around 500Mb.

I did not se an option to request a router during sign up 

I'm afraid its a while since I wen't through a signup journey but I thought there was an option , maybe it assumes a new one and there's an option to decline ?

What Plusnet router do you currently have ?

Perhaps @Marsh could check your order to see if there's a router on it ?

[#9]

I can't remember what PlusNet router I have, it is buried in a box somewhere so will have to dig it out.

I got the hub when I first signed up with PlusNet in April 2022

Any recommendations for a third party router at a reasonable price?

[#10]

@DerekW 

Goog things come to those who wait. Good to hear you got things sorted in the end.

You would have got a Hub2 back in April 2022 which is still the current PN unit of choice. If you find yours then no router is required from PN.

If buying consider a FritzBox 7530 from CEX. I got mine for around £35. The AX version has better WiFi but costs more. Most units are ex Zen Internet and if you look at their website plenty of Help regarding the router.

Brian

[#11]

Found it... Says Plusnet Hub 2 on the box

[#12]

@DerekW 

@bmc s suggestion is a good one.

If you're 'techy' and would like to buy new then have a look at the Cudy WR3000S https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cudy-WR3000S-Ethernet-Antennas-Wireguard/dp/B0CYT3Q54S/ref=asc_df_B0CYT3Q54... or even the slighly cheaper WR3000E https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DMNXXNTG

With hardware offloading enabled and QoS disabled they will easily handle 900Mb. If you don't like the idea of Chinese firmware then they can easily be flashed with vanilla Openwrt https://openwrt.org/toh/cudy/wr3000s_v1

Be aware though, Openwrt is NOT for the non-techy!!

For info , I'm currently running a Tplink ER605 (800mhz dual core) on Openwrt and that handles my 900Mb connection with hardware offload enabled. I'm also running a Cudy WR3000H (has a 2.5Gb WAN port) as a wireless access point, again using Openwrt

NB don't buy the standard WR3000 it only has 16Mb ROM (as opposed to 128Mb in the WR3000S & E ) and will not be supported by future versions of Openwrt.

edit: posts crossed, jsut seen that you've already got a Hub 2, so if the VR2800 can't hack the 900Mb at least you've got a ready made plan B. That may also explain why you weren't offered one during the upgrade signup.

[#13]

Thanks everyone

I have that Cuddy saved and may purchase it depending on how things go.

Still have to wait until September 17th for first Openreach engineer visit.

[#14]

I have that Cuddy saved and may purchase it depending on how things go.

If you decide you want to go down the Openwrt route, then I'm happy to help either publicly or by PM

[#15]

Awesome, thanks very much