Overhead cable - how will the installation be carried out. Sorry more questions!

[#1]

WE live in a field (in a cottage of course).

At present the copper wire goes up the farm road and then across the field on poles, then across to a box on the side of the roof (in the "v"".) At this point the cable is fairly level with the poles as the field is higher than us.  Then the cable goes over the garage, down  and in through  a wall vent, under the back window, finally coming up through the floor to the main box which sits above the skirting board.  Its near a power socket so at least thats OK.

So are they likely to follow the same route with the fibre cable?  I cant see any other path in, you cant trench the farmers field (it will get ploughed).  The present router is set up in the back room with all ethernet cables run under floors, up and into the roof space so obviously it needs to end up in there.   

Re-routing the cables is not an option (got old and stiff) plus some it was done with the aid of our cat (with harness and string) sadly she passed on at 22 years so haven't got that option now.  Wireless is not a good option, too many dead zones due to 2ft thick walls

Where is the external box likely to be fitted?  Is there some sort of measurement ie 3ft from internal box? 

I'm assuming that the cable a similar size to the old one, but is it less flexible?  If its a case of putting string on the old wire and then pulling the new cable through it will be reasonably straightforward but if not drilling holes into sandstone blocks is not a sensible option.

Its booked in for May 19 but do they send someone out to have a look first?  

[#2]

It should follow yhe same route over the field as your existing cable.
If you post the results from the url below, remove personal details. Make sure that the part about FTTP is visible. Something like FTTP is available, and ONT is required and some more text.

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

[#3]

@Spik3y 

It doesn't sound like there's any problem in getting the fibre to your property. They'll simply run it as per the copper cable.

Your cottage is a different matter. When OR confirmed the appointment did they send your a text? If so, what did you reply? I suspect the best response would have been ACCESS which I believe gets you a phone call from them.

You'll only find out on the day what's possible.

Brian

[#4]

Yes the cottage with 2ft+ walls is  a bigger issue. Also being sandstone you just cant drill rows of hole to put cable clips in, you can get away with the odd hole.

I was talking to my youngest who has been through the full fibre installation and the design of the fixed cable end cap, which he described as about 1 cm in diameter. So feeding the cable through the copper cable path is out. More worrying is his story of a previous install from V*****, where they turned up ahead of time, without appointment when both were at work, and badly dug a diagonal cable trench straight across the front lawn!!  😱

Today weve been outside running through a few scenarios for points of entry.   So a hole in the window frame is probably going to be the easiest option which OH will do once we have the installer present.  Weve worked out the path of least obstruction,  and can make it as easy as possible for the installers, so hopefully it will be agreeable.  

[#5]

I was apparently given a definite booking of May 19.  The only text so far is  saying they will confirm the slot within 10 days??      The openreach chap we were speaking earlier in the week said it was a good time to be getting it done in our area as barring emergencies they are quieter for the next couple of weeks, I realise there are no guarantees.

[#6]

@Spik3y 

To answer a few of your questions:

The external fibre will normally be brought down an external wall to ground level, where the external CBT is fitted.

I believe that the maximum length of cable between the external CBT Abd internal ONT is 10m

The Internal optical cable has a connector on only one end and is about 5/6mm diameter, Holes through walls are normally drilled at about 10mm diameter. A mushroom like grommet with a short protective tube that is inserted in the wall partly protect the fibre on the internal side.

Unless you have agreed a morning or afternoon appointment, you do not have a confirmed appointment.

[#7]

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@bmc wrote:

 When OR confirmed the appointment did they send your a text? If so, what did you reply? I suspect the best response would have been ACCESS which I believe gets you a phone call from them.

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I don't know about a phone call, but it will get you a visit. Though the visit is likely unannounced and without an appointment.

In my case it happened after the CSP box had already been rapidly installed! This resulted in the apparent "visit" turning into an on-the-spot ONT install. I had to then wait much longer before the ONT was officially installed (by appointment) and therefor FF commissioned. But this wouldn't be the normal course of events.

[#8]

@Spik3y  OR use two cables for the installation.  The external cable which will be installed from the pole to your cottage and an "inside-out" cable that runs from whenever they put the ONT to meet the external cable in a CSP (Splice Point box.)

The "inside-out" cable has a green plug on one end ready to be plugged into an ONT, nothing on the other end so it can be threaded through ducts and holes in the wall etc..  To complete the installation the OR engineer will fuse the external cable and the"inside-out" cable and put the join into the CSP box. So a 10mm hole is plenty big enough to thread the fibre cable through (and the cable is normally run from the ONT position to the outside.   It is possible in some circumstance to use an internal CSP, but the idea is the fibre joint is in the CSP on the outside of your property so it is easy for OR to access it (!!?)

You won't really know what the engineer is prepared to do until they arrive on the days and you discuss position of the ONT and the route for the fibre cables.

This is based on my (and my neighbour's) experience from a couple of years ago...

[#9]

@Spik3y 

When OR text next time respond with ACCESS and see what happens.

Because it's an overhead installation OR will require to drill small holes in your wall to secure their ladder.

Any chance of using the loft? It needs to be floored, easy access and have power. You could then sort out internal cables afterwards.

You can do some work before hand to ease the install but their is no guarentee the installer will be happy with the route you've chosen.

Brian

[#10]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

@Spik3y 

To answer a few of your questions:

The external fibre will normally be brought down an external wall to ground level, where the external CBT is fitted.

I believe that the maximum length of cable between the external CBT Abd internal ONT is 10m

The Internal optical cable has a connector on only one end and is about 5/6mm diameter, Holes through walls are normally drilled at about 10mm diameter. A mushroom like grommet with a short protective tube that is inserted in the wall partly protect the fibre on the internal side.

Unless you have agreed a morning or afternoon appointment, you do not have a confirmed appointment.

---

Thank you those measurement are very helpful.

I was given an afternoon appointment though no specific hour.

From the point of house contact, which will be the top of the roof v, there is no immediate vertical path available on any side. 

[#11]

@Spik3y 

I meant to ask if you looked at the Checker mentioned in post #2 ?

Specifically what does it say to the right of WBC FTTP in the results window and what does it say about FTTP in the narrative below the window.

Brian

[#12]

I hadn't even thought it was possible to go through the loft, that has to be the best /easiest option so far. I have to say that so far all openreach staff (encountered regularly after storms) have been really pleasant and helpful so fingers crossed.

The rear gable has a loft and as luck would have it, my network cables already go through the back room ceiling, so theres already a path and we know where they are in the boarded loft. Weve been up on the flat roof (garage) and there is a clear line of sight to the pole, we can trim branches if required.   OH would have to take a patio roof access panel down (4 screws) , but they can secure the ladder on the wood there so hopefully that covers their safety regulations.

I've measured from the gable end (where I assume the outside box will go in that scenario) and to inside box on the skirting (where the bt box is) is within 10 metres. There are places to fit it further up the wall if they need  a few more feet.

[#13]

In the checker it says

WBC FTTP	Up to 1000	Up to 220	--	Available	1 Stage

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed joint user pole.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

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.

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 stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

[#14]

@Spik3y 

Thanks for the information. It basically says no problems are expected.

Just because you can get to the loft doesn't mean to say OR will use it. For example they don't walk on flat garage roofs.

It's an option you can talk about to the engineer on the day. Is there power up there? It's not beyond the realms of possibilities you could get an internal CSP and the ONT fitted in the loft. If so, you could also put the router up there and sort your network cables out afterwards.

Just as a thought is there an OR box attached to the top of the pole that serves your cottage. This is the CBT (Connectorized Block Terminal). The fibre optic cable plugs into this before being run to your house.

Brian

[#15]

Router in the loft is not an option, I'm in my 70's and past running up and down loft ladders to get to it.  It needs to be easy access.  Wifi would be blocked from the bits of the house it reaches now, and I have dect phones to plug in so that cable would have to go up, and extra wifi run back down.

OH thinks a ladder from the patio should avoid the flat roof issue.

Theres only been phone and adsl on that pole to date but I tried to get a shot of the box up there.  The trees are due to be trimmed, in fact scot power were supposed to be doing it last week.