Moving upstairs, but Sky says I can't get FTTC anymore.

I'm moving 2 metres up to the flat above me. I currently have Sky Fibre Unlimited Pro (after a very heated and difficult installation that lasted a few months).

I called them and said I'd like to transfer my FTTC. They ran in to some problems, said they'll call back in an hour, called back in three days and said it's not possible because there's no capacity. I wasn't too sure whether this was at the local exchange or the street cabinet, but we agreed that I'd call back and try again after they disconnect my current service on the 26th.

I'm assuming nothing will change though, since all the wires for my current service are physically in place and it's not like they can go and rewire them.

I've also thought of going to Plusnet since I hate Sky's router. What are my chances of getting FTTC again? Maybe Sky is being weird and it is possible to connect FTTC upstairs, all that's needed is a good engineer?

What does https://www.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/main.html say for the full address (just hide your address when posting answer)

Cabinets do run out of ports and when your existing line is ceased a port would be freed, and its a lottery as to whether you get the port before someone else.

The checker above usually mentions port capacity issues and providers see this so should be able to explain, but staff rarely are trained to this level.

Thank you for reminding me about this checker. Here's what it shows:

Address (removed) on Exchange HAMPSTEAD is served by Cabinet 26
Featured Products

Downstream Line Rate(Mbps)

Upstream Line Rate(Mbps)

Downstream Range(Mbps)

Availability Date

High Low High Low
FTTC Range A (Clean) 79.3 60 20 19.5 -- Available
FTTC Range B (Impacted) 70.6 44.6 20 14.1 -- Available

WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 7.5 -- 5.5 to 12 Available
WBC ADSL 2+ Annex M Up to 7.5 Up to 1 5.5 to 12 Available
ADSL Max Up to 5.5 -- 4 to 8 Available
WBC Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available
Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available
Other Offerings
Fibre Multicast -- -- -- Available
Copper Multicast -- -- -- Available


So - basically it says it's available. Nothing on capacity.

If that is for the new flat address then suggests case of 'puter says no over at Sky.

What sort of flat? Is it a purpose built one or a conversion from a house? If the latter you might be able to get a "master socket move" - it will cost but alleviate the issues and no reconnection fee.

It's a very weird conversion. The BT Openreach engineer had trouble finding where the cables come in from the outside to the master socket on the inside. Eventualy he succeeded, but this new flat is a little different, there is no evident master socket, instead there is a little box right by the entrance door and it goes to a socket which looks like an extension.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll ask them about it. I doubt they'd know what that is. Sky seem to rely too much on the computers to do their bidding, so I'm going to try another provider!

Is it officially recognised as 2 separate addresses by the appropriate bodies?

In reply to a post by Saltank:

Sky seem to rely too much on the computers to do their bidding, so I'm going to try another provider!

I think you'll find that all providers use the same database!

In reply to a post by ian72:

Is it officially recognised as 2 separate addresses by the appropriate bodies?

Yes, there are different door numbers and the FTTC checker shows that FTTC is available at both.

Ah that is sod's law!

Sounds like you have a choice of moving the master socket illegally (but easily) to your flat upstairs and just confusing the hell out of the next tenant (Not condoning this at all)

Or! Hope your new tenant is a reasonable individual and will keep your service and allow you to run WiFi or an Ethernet cable through the ceiling!

Or! Just wait for more capacity to become available... (I wouldn't have the patience)

With different door numbers you might have a couple of problems unless you can get the BT Tech to move it and then a month or two later, just "correct" the address.

Not totally legitimate but worth a try ...

The trouble with a move to any other ISP is that it involves a new provision. You can't migrate to a different address.

Is the phone number important to you? If not, just order phone and FTTC (from Plusnet that you mentioned?), and give notice on the Sky connection.

You may be charged a Cease fee by Sky.

Nah I don't use the phone for anything so it's not important.

I won't be charged a cease fee because the original 12 month contract is already up. I've already notified them and they're disconnecting it in a week.

I think I'll place an order with Plusnet or maybe Zen already, perhaps they'll be able to take care of it when the time comes.

Also, I'm not messing with the existing cabling as I went to great trouble to procure it and don't want to ruin it for the next tenant Besides, it goes from an inside wall to a mysterious place somewhere outside the building, it's not easy to just take the wire and run it upstairs!

Sky will be charged a cease fee by BT and may pass this on to the customer - it is irrespective of the length of contract but levied for a complete disconnection of broadband.