WWEXTR Cab P135

Just moved and am on this cab.

No fibre according to availability checkers and no cable either, just long-line ADSL.

However Cab P135 was supposed to be FTTP as part of Phase 5a.

Is there any way to find out whether this is still going to go FTTP at some point, and critically, when?

Oooooh! Exciting times today!

Here's Cab P135:

http://i.imgur.com/OzjlR.jpg

With an OR tent? Oh, what's inside?

http://i.imgur.com/Iqzh7.jpg

Ooh I do declare! That appears to be a FTTP manifold. Oh, how nice you look

It looks more like a splitter, or an aggregation point. I don't think the manifolds have those trays for the splice joints.

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

It looks more like a splitter, or an aggregation point. I don't think the manifolds have those trays for the splice joints.

I stand corrected.

Whatever it is, it does of course mean 330Meg doth my way come!

Did you also see the two OR vans working higher up on Cornflower Hill yesterday too? Very exciting! If they're back today I'll give them a good quizzing!

Edited by deleted (Tue 09-Oct-12 08:16:10)

In reply to a post by chrigurndevon:

Did you also see the two OR vans working higher up on Cornflower Hill yesterday too? Very exciting! If they're back today I'll give them a good quizzing!

Oh really? Awesome!

They must be doing the whole Cab 135 area this week then.

I have to say though I'm not holding my breath. Why? I saw them doing similar work where I used to live (Haldon Road) *Last June*... and still no fibre options available anywhere along the road.

Hopefully they'll encounter fewer problems as this estate is much newer

Edited by deleted (Tue 09-Oct-12 09:53:17)

Oh yes. Thoroughly jealous

Good point. I remember seeing three OR vans and a whole team of engineers pushing cables through the man holes in my road and that was back in July 2011. Back then one of the engineers said it should all be working "before Christmas" (2011). Still, mustn't moan. Saw another OR tent today on the opposite site of the road from your photo. Shows how desperate we are when the sight of a small tent fills us with hope!

In reply to a post by chrigurndevon:

Good point. I remember seeing three OR vans and a whole team of engineers pushing cables through the man holes in my road and that was back in July 2011. Back then one of the engineers said it should all be working "before Christmas" (2011). Still, mustn't moan. Saw another OR tent today on the opposite site of the road from your photo. Shows how desperate we are when the sight of a small tent fills us with hope!

Yep, saw that too. They worked on the manhole covers right in front of the cab and are now further down Kinnerton Way near the letter box installing a node thingy there, too.

Seem to be making good progress

/carries on with normal life

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

Oh yes. Thoroughly jealous

Me too! Glad I have FTTC, but would rather have FTTP.

Well call it a coincidence but since OR have been messing around with my cab and the D-Side manhole covers, which don't get me wrong is with the best of intentions, my ADSL has dropped in speed by over half a meg and is intermittent as you like.

Dag nabit!

In reply to a post by izools:

Well call it a coincidence but since OR have been messing around with my cab and the D-Side manhole covers, which don't get me wrong is with the best of intentions, my ADSL has dropped in speed by over half a meg and is intermittent as you like.

Dag nabit!

Nop, wait, my fault.

Replaced the RJ11 cable and all is well. Also updated the firmware on my DGND3700 to the Beta .19 Test 2 firmware and now connecting at 7.5 Meg - seemingly stable so far - on a 49dB line, awesome.

Had this back from Openreach:

Unfortunately as stated in my earlier reply, I am unable at this point to give you an accurate go-live date.
However, it appears that the majority of the build is complete and we are waiting for light loss measurements and commissioning.
On that basis, I can say that it will still be probably a couple of months before the network is live and able to accept orders.

I would suggest you periodically check your CP's web-site for details, (if you input your phone number and post code, it'll state that you can order 100Mb broadband, or, if no progress there, please write back to us in two months.

FTTP for Christmas?

Maybe. That'd be real nice

FTTP for Christmas would be great. Strangely my adsl speeds have been acting a bit weird lately, not so much slow as very intermittent. Watching BBC iPlayer now is almost impossible! Fingers crossed it'll all be worth the wait..

once it's live you can order, but then you need an installation date, which seems to be a further 3 weeks.

All gone a bit quiet down at Cab 135. Not seen any vans/tents for weeks. Do you think they've forgotten us again?

In reply to a post by chrigurndevon:

All gone a bit quiet down at Cab 135. Not seen any vans/tents for weeks. Do you think they've forgotten us again?

Wouldn't surprise me. The NGA enquiry man said to email him in two months if there's still nothing on the checker, we're half way there...

I notice that there are cones and spray-painted markings on the corner of the road opposite Cab 135, where the OR tent was a while back. Perhaps a shiny new FTTx cabinet will spring up there soon? I'm not sure how old Cab 135 is. It looks like no other cabinet I've ever seen.

In reply to a post by chrigurndevon:

I notice that there are cones and spray-painted markings on the corner of the road opposite Cab 135, where the OR tent was a while back. Perhaps a shiny new FTTx cabinet will spring up there soon? I'm not sure how old Cab 135 is. It looks like no other cabinet I've ever seen.

It's the same design as cab P160 on Mincinglake Road that my mother used to be connected to.

There shouldn't be any cab being installed near P135 as the Openreach NGA team confirmed that area as FTTP, which doesn't require any extra street furniture to be installed.

Nevertheless, I do hope it is a positive sign, I'd really like some 160Mb Infinity for Christmas. Please Santa!

Well it's been a couple of months since I emailed Openreach NGA Enquiries so I've chased them up again to find out what the score is as we still don't have any NGA services available on Cab 135...

Will post back when I get a reply.

Good luck with OR. They'll no doubt mention their MBORC notice for Exeter as an excuse.

In reply to a post by chrigurndevon:

Good luck with OR. They'll no doubt mention their MBORC notice for Exeter as an excuse.

Oh balls.

As expected, response from OR:

"The project to deliver FTTP to areas of Exeter is currently on hold. Unfortunately I cannot release the details due to commercial confidentiality.

The build is expected to be restarted in the spring with fibre being available later in the year.

I�m sorry I cannot be more specific at this time."

"The project to deliver FTTP to areas of Exeter is currently on hold. Unfortunately I cannot release the details due to commercial confidentiality.

The build is expected to be restarted in the spring with fibre being available later in the year.

I�m sorry I cannot be more specific at this time."

Ah well. Maybe we'll get it in time for Christmas 2013...

I bet you said that last year (in time for 2012, that is)

I've thrown caution to the wind and ordered a second phone line and reserved a second port for BE Bonded.

TIP: Second line from Primus - £59 Install, £10.19 PCM Line Rental, £30.30 cashback from topcashback
BE Bonded - £32.50 PCM (Usually £65 PCM, half price for 12 months)

So you do pay quite a bit but I reckon just over £50 a month for an unlimited Bonded ADSL 2+ connection including both line rentals isn't too bad at all really!

Edited by deleted (Thu 13-Dec-12 19:02:46)

Latest response from Openreach (30.01.13)

"Thank you for your enquiry. You are connected to the Exeter Exchange, cabinet 135.

I have been in contact with the Project Manager this afternoon and he advises that Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) was suspended dependent upon a review of FTTP, however, the best estimate for completion at this stage is towards the end of this calendar year (2013)."

The "suspended dependent upon a review of FTTP" bit is a little worrying. I really wish they'd just give us FTTC for now. By the time FTTP finally comes around (if it does) I'm sure the rest of Exeter will have been offered FTTP on demand anyway.