Full fibre install

[#1]

Due to be visited by Openreach tomorrow for my install. Looking on the BTW availability checker , it notes "Residential UG congested duct" - Is this likely to be problematic ? In these circumstances, is the installer likely to want to pull the fibre thru using the existing phone line ? Just worried that we could end up with no connection at all !

[#2 · Accepted solution]

I would hope they'd try and rod the duct first to check it. If that fails, they ought to give you the option of them trying to pull the fibre through with the existing line, but as you say with the warning that it might fail and leave no connection. If you reject that option they should abandon the install and request a dig team. That will involve a significant delay...

[#3]

@davidj66 

This is one of those occasions where you just don't know until the day of install. As mentioned, 3 things can happen.

They manage to rod through the duct to get the cable in.

They offer to use the old cable to pull thorough the fibre cable but if this fails you're without a connection for a reasonable period.

The installation is posponed and a dig team called in to sort the duct.

There was a recent thread where a cable pull through was successful but each job is different.

If the installation is posponed they may (should) offer to complete the house work (internal and external boxes) in preperation for the duct work.

Brian

[#4]

Thanks for replies - looks like I'll have to wait and hope for a competent (and conscientious !)  engineer. 

Biggest problem with losing the old line without new install is that our mobile connections here ,are not good on any of the networks. OK for basic stuff like email but not good enough for anything more complex.

[#5]

@davidj66 

If a cable pull through fails it might just create enough space for another rodding attempt.

Do let us know how it goes.

Brian

[#6]

Out of interest, does anyone here know the size, (diameter), of the rods that Openreach use for "rodding" ducts?

Contractors working on behalf of Openreach have recently been rodding ducts around here in preparation for bringing FTTP to our area. The rods that they used looked to be something like 20-25mm diameter.

When we moved in to our present home 13 years ago, I wanted to install a wired ethernet network around the house with the minimum disruption, so I bought a set of rods about 5mm diameter which proved invaluable getting cables installed under floors etc.

Do Openreach have access to similar, smaller diameter, rods?

.

[#7]

@Anonymous 

I'm not sure of the exact type they use, but I've seen OR etc. using similar to these;

If you look online there are various thicknesses available.

[#8]

@Anonymous 

There's a world of difference between 5mm cable installation rods, intended for finding a clear path under floors and through ducts, and 'rodding' tools, designed to clear a way through ducts congested with debris. 

[#9]

The rods that I have seen unuse around here by Openreach, City Fibre (and contractors) have all been very similar to the reel in the photograph above. I have not measured the diameter of the "rod" but I estimate it is around 10mm.

[#10]

UPDATE - Openreach communications much improved - had 3 texts this morning with updates before the engineer's arrival.

The rod used looked identical to the reel above and he had no problem pushing through for install. All connected up in ~ 90 minutes without disturbing the existing phone wire.

Now have both routers live and active ! Presumably PN will disable the old FTTC connection once informed by Openreach ?

[#11]

@davidj66 

Good to hear things went well.

Brian