Broadband roll-out held up in Stretham

Connecting Cambridgeshire had hoped to pave the way for superfast broadband in the village last year but engineers have come up against problems and the date for completion has been pushed back to as late as September.

According to Connecting Cambridgeshire, which is managing the roll-out of superfast broadband across the county, up to 750 homes are connected to exchange only lines, instead of via telephone cabinets.

It said: �The Stretham exchange is a particularly challenging exchange to upgrade and whilst Openreach have been working in the area during 2014 it will require continued work through 2015.

�This is because around 750 homes in the village are connected directly via the Stretham exchange on exchange only lines rather than through a telephone cabinet which is more common.

And Exchange Only areas are often in the later waves of the various projects, because of the extra work needed.

Explanations in the actual local press that your post is lifted from could have been worded a lot better, but difficult to know how much a good explanation has been mangled between original comment and publication.

Surely it must have been known that these were EO lines before the CC project was given the go ahead, they wouldn't have just dived in without checking would they?

Plenty of county level projects are resolving EO line issues, just tends to take longer and need a bit more work.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Plenty of county level projects are resolving EO line issues, just tends to take longer and need a bit more work.

I imagine they will have needed to, but I expect this was known when the planning was done.

In my local BDUK project there are half a dozen cabinets about to go live close to the Bedford exchange where all the served areas use to be EO. That was anticipated and dealt with, whereas this problem in Cambridgeshire gives the impression that it wasn't obvious before they came to do the street-level work.

http://westvillages.shapeyourplace.org/2015/01/06/su...
and
http://www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk/parish/str...

Cover the situation. I think it boils down to areas nearby having already been enabled, and nothing appearing to happen in Stretham.

A pain to wait, but seems to be on the way at least. County target is 90% with access to superfast, so there will some missing out. Around 25,000 without superfast broadband, and of those I'd estimate 12,500 will be getting something better than ADSL from FTTC but not fast enough to be fibre.

Stretham is a bit of a beast for BT to roll out to. The exchange has 2 existing cabinets, 1 in Little Thetford, which has an FTTC twin and is accepting orders (cabinet 1), and the other in the village itself.

I have spoken to Connecting Cambridgeshire (officially, via email) and Openreach about fibre for cabinet 2. Both said the same thing: "It's scheduled for FTTP." This is presumably because of the 90% superfast target. The majority of premises on cabinet 2 would be too far away to benefit from FTTC.

This is what I know. I decided to do some asking and digging since it's where I live lol

Edited by deleted (Fri 16-Jan-15 18:35:59)

If its FTTP then more work and almost always slower to provide . Had not chased down the detail since camb site seemed so clear on EO.

My understanding is FTTP was originally planned for the whole village until they realised the scale and cost. Now the EO lines are to get a PCP at the the exchange, then a fibre twin beside it.

FTTP is for cabinet 2.

Okay had the time while doing my Saturday afternoon cabinet twitter searches.

Cabinet 1 live with FTTC
Cabinet 2 FTTP planned
New Cabinets 3 and 4 serving what was EO lines, probably eradicating all but a handful of the EO and using FTTC

So yes a different mix to many other exchanges, and would explain why its not all happening at once.

That does make sense, and explains the 4 dates we've had for cabinet 2 lol. Nice bit of digging

So, for the third time now....work is scheduled by BT on the A10 near the Cambridge Road/Wilburton Road roundabout.

One was scheduled for Dec/the start of Jan, but looks like nothing happend. A new date was set for mid-February, and we're now in the middle of more planned work at the same sport as mid-Feb (according to RoadWorks.org (have a look).

This looks like a cabinet build/install, is this correct? What i find odd is, this cabinet is further from my EO property than the actual exchange, but i guess we'll be connected to this (unless we get FTTP).

Anyway, the reason I'm posting is that i can see no signs (thus far) of any work at the spot marked on the map (i drive passed it daily). there have been quite a few Openreach vans driving up and down this week though, but like i say no so (visible) activity at the designated spot. Hopefully something is actually happening this time.

On a positive note, my postcode is showing as my cabinet should be live by 30 June on Connecting Cambridgeshire's website, but given that there appears to be no work happening now (or on the last two occassions), and the fact my cab go-live date has been postponsed so many time, i wont hold my breathe.

Has anyone been able to get any more info from BT/Connecting Cambridgeshire/Openreach?

Only one cabinet is scheduled for FTTP (cabinet 2 - see MrSaffron's post).

The only scheduled BT work I can see on roadworks.org is for a concrete chamber along the A10 that, from what I can make out, has already been done (unless they're putting another one in). The last work closer to the roundabout was for provision of a new pole (work also complete)

By the way, my postcode is showing 31/03/2015

Cab 2 is planned for FTTP in BDUK Phase 11a for Cambridgeshire.
Cabs 3 & 4 are both planned for FTTC later on this year

Well, I noticed on my way home yet another concrete chamber has appeared in the grass verge.. what be they all for, one wonders! lol

Before i begin, I posted this reply back on Tuesday, but dont know what happened/why it didnt get posted, so here goes again...

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Only one cabinet is scheduled for FTTP (cabinet 2 - see MrSaffron's post).

YEah, i saw Cab 2 (the existing cab?) is the only one getting FTTP.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

The only scheduled BT work I can see on roadworks.org is for a concrete chamber along the A10 that, from what I can make out, has already been done (unless they're putting another one in). The last work closer to the roundabout was for provision of a new pole (work also complete)

The BT work which i referred to is listed on Roadworks.org and can be seen in the red circled area as in the screenshot here (http://1drv.ms/1bbyIAw) This is the same spot were work was scheduled back in mid-February which appears to have not happened. Although, having said that, it looks like the work highlighted has been delayed slightly, in that last week it was schedule to start on Tuesday/Wednesday and end exactly a week later. Now however, it's been revised to have started on Monday, and for completion on Friday.

Where is this concrete chamber which is already done? Is it in this same spot? The only work I've seen scheduled recently relate to streetlighting, which is now largely complete. Or was there something for a phone pole which I've missed?

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

By the way, my postcode is showing 31/03/2015

Lucky you. Hopefully Mine isnt delayed again.

In reply to a post by FredTheB:

Cab 2 is planned for FTTP in BDUK Phase 11a for Cambridgeshire.
Cabs 3 & 4 are both planned for FTTC later on this year

Do where know where these new cabinets are due to be installed? I''ve tried asking the Connecting Cambridgeshire team if there's any specific updates, but they just pointed me to the bog standard info on their page for Stretham.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Well, I noticed on my way home yet another concrete chamber has appeared in the grass verge.. what be they all for, one wonders! lol

Hm...came home in the dark today so couldn't see it. Will have a look when I go passed tomorrow.

Edited by Salem874 (Wed 18-Mar-15 20:44:11)

Yeah, cabinet 2 is an existing one (next to the recycling bit on the corner of the playing field). As far as I can tell, the new cabinets are going somewhere near the exchange.

The date for cabinet 2 has been changed a few times as well, so you're not alone lol (31/03/2014, 30/09/2014, 31/12/2014 and now 31/03/2015).

Can you tell i'm not really holding my breath?

As for the concrete chambers, looks like a new one went in today since the earth was recently disturbed. There are also 2 other chambers nearby on the same side, more or less at the location of the screenshot.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Yeah, cabinet 2 is an existing one (next to the recycling bit on the corner of the playing field). As far as I can tell, the new cabinets are going somewhere near the exchange.

Hm...that's interesting. If Cab 2 is where i just saw (using street view), then that is closer to me than the exchange is, and i'm only about 600m from it, and yet I'm apprently connected directly to the exchange.

Sorry for this (somewhat) stupid question, but are these concrete chambers (part of) the cabinet builds? If so, this new one being build this week is even further from me than the exchange...

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

The date for cabinet 2 has been changed a few times as well, so you're not alone lol (31/03/2014, 30/09/2014, 31/12/2014 and now 31/03/2015).

Can you tell i'm not really holding my breath?

Yeah, I'm at the stage too to be honest. Going from Stretham being due for 21CN in 2010 (yeah right...still waiting) to FTTP due 30 June 2014, 30 Sep 2014, 31 Dec 2014, 31 March 2015 and now 31 Sep 2015.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

As for the concrete chambers, looks like a new one went in today since the earth was recently disturbed. There are also 2 other chambers nearby on the same side, more or less at the location of the screenshot.

Interesting, I've not seen the pre-existing cabs. Will need to look more closely tomorrow morning

Chambers can hold quite a few bits of the network, like fibre splitters, fibre manifolds and copper wire jointboxes. Or they can just be for access to the ducting. Best thing to do is hope to catch Openreach working there with the chambers open then have a nosey

On a slight side note, somewhere in the deepest recesses of what passes for my mind these days, i seem to recall being told we'd have cable TV by 1997. Still waiting... lol

In reply to a post by Salem874:

Yeah, I'm at the stage too to be honest. Going from Stretham being due for 21CN in 2010 (yeah right...still waiting) to FTTP due 30 June 2014, 30 Sep 2014, 31 Dec 2014, 31 March 2015 and now 31 Sep 2015.

At least you haven't been waiting for fibre since Oct-Dec 2011 for FTTP where BTOR started our fibre install and stopped in mid install , we even have all the fibre manifold in the pit and up the pole, and I think there is a fibre node about 200m away from us, so still not fully sure why the delay.

It seems the further you go out from London the more chance you have getting fibre LOL.
Oh well.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Paul

Openreach do like to keep you guessing lol. It would be nice to think I can order in 11 days, but we shall see!

Judging by roadworks.org, cabinets 3 and 4 will be right next to the exchange.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Openreach do like to keep you guessing lol. It would be nice to think I can order in 11 days, but we shall see!

Judging by roadworks.org, cabinets 3 and 4 will be right next to the exchange.

Yeah, we won't really see anything on the roadworks site due to being FTTP, maybe if they need safe access to the underground chambers etc then it will possibly be on there, but apart from that its all wait and see, I was told by BTOR via email that we are down for it and to keep checking the Where and when page for updates from the end of February, they didn't say how long after that date that we will get it though

Also waiting on what Virgin Media decide on installing down our road.
Was told on the phone that an engineer will be sent to my area to decide where the best place for the cabinets would be.

Also doesn't help being in a conservation area, which was why I was really hoping BTOR would install the FTTP that they should of done back in 2011.

I have seen on roadworks that BT are doing "Recovery of redundant BT cable from existing duct." in a few places down the main road i.e. the route our fibre would take, so I am hoping its them removing the old PCP copper cables freeing up space for our fibre.

This is what they say for "Under Review":

A cabinet may be under review for a number of reasons, including local planning issues, (we still need planning permission in a number of scenarios, or planning due to safety reasons), problems with our underground network or issues with the supply of a suitable power source. Due to these reasons and the length of time it takes to resolve such problems, we are unable to give likely dates when the cabinet will be able to accept orders.

Where its FTTP, we need no Fibre Cabinet, so no planning permission required (unless for safety reasons), I cannot see it being "issues with the supply of a suitable power source" due to no cabinet, so the only issues I can see would be possibly with "problems with our underground network", the sad thing is like I have said in other posts, there is a node about 200m from us.

So lets hope its down to blockages and that's what they are clearing up.

Oh yeah, was told by BTOR that they use cabinet info even though I am down for FTTP and this is so that they know where they are with the rollout.

Paul

Edited by PaulKirby (Fri 20-Mar-15 10:42:13)

Yeah that's very true, there was nothing on roadworks.org when they did FTTP here. I just came back from town one day and Openreach were there with the chambers open and fibre hanging from the poles lol

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Yeah that's very true, there was nothing on roadworks.org when they did FTTP here. I just came back from town one day and Openreach were there with the chambers open and fibre hanging from the poles lol

See that sad thing with us is we have all the hardware (black bottle and black tubing with yellowish strip) up the pole and in the underground chamber by the pole, I watched them install all that back in Oct - Dec 2011 and was told would get the fibre blown in over the next couple of weeks and would go live a week or two after that, and a few years later still no fibre, where as half the side roads have it and half our road has it and a home several doors down has it, seems like they just upped and went.

The halting may of been down to complete all their contracts etc first and they are slowly getting back to some areas, and just not our area yet, so I guess its just a matter of waiting I guess.

Paul

As much as the BDUK projects have helped push the fibre footprint, all of those extra bods must've come from somewhere. It seems fairly logical they were pulled from existing rollouts to meet the targets.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

As much as the BDUK projects have helped push the fibre footprint, all of those extra bods must've come from somewhere. It seems fairly logical they were pulled from existing rollouts to meet the targets.

Well we are part of Greater London so we are unable to get BDUK Funding, and are covered by the Commercial Rollout, just seems the.Commercial Rollout got put on hole in favour of the BDUK Funded/contract work.

Paul

In reply to a post by Salem874:

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Yeah, cabinet 2 is an existing one (next to the recycling bit on the corner of the playing field). As far as I can tell, the new cabinets are going somewhere near the exchange.

Hm...that's interesting. If Cab 2 is where i just saw (using street view), then that is closer to me than the exchange, is which is about 600m away, and yet I'm apprently connected directly to the exchange.

Sorry for this (somewhat) stupid question, but are these concrete chambers (part of) the cabinet builds? If so, this new one being build this week is even further from me than the exchange...

It looks like we now have work scheduled for PCP (Cabinet) 3 & 4.

PCP 3 (Chapel Lane): 07 - 15 April 2015
PCP 4 (Chapel Lane, next to PCP 3): 07 - 15 April 2015

Clicking on my property on Connecting Cambridgeshire's Coverage Map page, In addition to being told that cabinets are due to go live by 30/06/2015, It is now also listing TWO coming soon cabinets. Stretham P2, and Stretham P4.

The question now is, is the coverage map accurate to postcode level rather than property (which I guess would be the case). Also, which cabinet am i likely to be connected to, 2 or 4? Given that Cabinet 2 is about half the distance from my property than 4, I'm guessing 2 would make more sense. And if so, i guess it'd be likely to be on FTTP. Surely they wont (I wouldn't have thought they could, given the distance bwteen the two) put the phone on one cabinet and use the other for internet? Or is it gonna be a case of luck which cabinet the Openreach engineer decides to connect us to, hence why both are being listed?

In reply to a post by PaulKirby:

...I was told by BTOR via email that we are down for it and to keep checking the Where and when page for updates from the end of February, they didn't say how long after that date that we will get it though

You managed to contacted Openreach? How'd you get that right, or are you within the industry?

Edited by Salem874 (Fri 20-Mar-15 11:15:14)

Best thing to do is pop your number in the BT Wholesale availability checker and see whether a cabinet number is mentioned. There will either be no mention (exchange only, so one of the new cabinets), or it'll say cabinet 2, in which case FTTP.

http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Best thing to do is pop your number in the BT Wholesale availability checker and see whether a cabinet number is mentioned. There will either be no mention (exchange only, so one of the new cabinets), or it'll say cabinet 2, in which case FTTP.

http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/

No number is listed so exchange only, hence the question as to which cabinet I'm likely to be connected to (I'm assuming i will be connected to one and won't be excluded)

Cabinets 3 and 4 are to take care of exchange only lines

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Cabinets 3 and 4 are to take care of exchange only lines

Yeah, i thought that would be the case, just seems odd that I'd be connected to them when there's a nearer cabinet.

Now to wait and see how things unfold...

I think the layout of the network is a mystery even to some of the pople that work on it

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

I think the layout of the network is a mystery even to some of the pople that work on it

Hm...Yeah I've got that impression from reading similar forums online as well.

Has anyone else noticed, what looks like, new cables coming down some telephone poles in Stretham?
I first noticed it on Wedesday when i noticed an extra cable (which I'm sure was not there before) the telephone cable unfront of the property next door to me. After noticing this, i also looked at other telephone poles on the A10 (going towards Cambridge) and noticed a cable more. I take it this is in prep for the work next week....

In reply to a post by Salem874:

It looks like we now have work scheduled for PCP (Cabinet) 3 & 4.

PCP 3 (Chapel Lane): 07 - 15 April 2015
PCP 4 (Chapel Lane, next to PCP 3): 07 - 15 April 2015

Speaking of the work scheduled for next week, we now have two more items listed on Roadworks.org.uk, bringing it up to four. The four are now summarised below:

07 - 15 April: BDUK PCP3 (Chapel Lane) - Install 1m of 1 way poly duct. Provide 1 Cabinet & Base (NGA cabinets)..
09 - 17 April: Erect/Renew 1 PCP cabinet and base. Install Poly ducts
07 - 15 April: BDUK PCP4 (Chapel Lane) - Install 12m of 2 poly ducts. Provide 1 Provide/Recover 1 NGA cab & base
09 - 17 April: Build 1 concrete chamber. Erect/Renew 1 PCP Cabinet & Base. Install Poly ducts.

To those who know more about these roll-outs, does this shed any more light on things? Where can one see more details of these planned roadworks in Cambridgeshire? I'd be interested to see the full descriptions which are truncated on Roadworks.org.uk

I've only seen fibre (black and yellow striped) hanging from one pole along the A10, but then I was messing around with the Bluetooth in the car yesterday so probably missed it lol

Looks like the work begins for the extra cabinets begins soon... still waiting here

Our fibre still isn't accepting orders.. just waiting for Connecting Cambridgeshire to update their website before I fire off and email to them.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

I've only seen fibre (black and yellow striped) hanging from one pole along the A10, but then I was messing around with the Bluetooth in the car yesterday so probably missed it lol

I've had another look at the new cable coming down the phone pole at the property next door to ours (which also has a cable feeding a pole at our property, which appears to feed us), and i cant see that it is back and yellow stripped. Seeing mainly black (unless the yellow strips are narrow).

Look at the poles in more detail though, the one at the property next door has a black unit (box type thing) fitted at the top which has always been their, i've only just noticed that our pole doesnt have one of these...

In reply to a post by Salem874:

07 - 15 April: BDUK PCP3 (Chapel Lane) - Install 1m of 1 way poly duct. Provide 1 Cabinet & Base (NGA cabinets)..
09 - 17 April: Erect/Renew 1 PCP cabinet and base. Install Poly ducts
07 - 15 April: BDUK PCP4 (Chapel Lane) - Install 12m of 2 poly ducts. Provide 1 Provide/Recover 1 NGA cab & base
09 - 17 April: Build 1 concrete chamber. Erect/Renew 1 PCP Cabinet & Base. Install Poly ducts.

Looks like we've got a few more changes to the Stretham fibre work. Current listings show:

DATE: 09 - 17 April:
DETAIL: Erect/Renew 1 PCP cabinet and base (600mm x 300mm x 1000mm). Install 8m of 7 Poly ducts in Carriageway.
LOCATION: Chapel Lane
STATUS: Work In Progress


DATE: 10 - 20 April (previously 07 - 15 April, listed above)
DETAIL: BDUK PCP3 - nstall 1 of 1 way power duct in Verge,Performing an 1excavation to expose existing power cable in Verge
LOCATION: Chapel Lane
STATUS: Work In Progress


DATE: 10 April - 20 April (previously 07 - 15 April, listed above)
DETAIL: BDUK PCP4 - Install 12m of 2 poly ducts. Provide 1 Provide/Recover 1 NGA cab & base
LOCATION: Chapel Lane
STATUS: Advanced Planning


DATE: 24 April - 5 May
DETAIL: Build 1 concrete chamber (1690mm x 710mm x 1565mm) deep in Footway; Erect/Renew 1 PCP cabinet and base (600mm x 300mm x 1000mm); Install 3m of 7 poly ducts in Verge; Install 7m of 7 poly ducts in Footway...
LOCATION: Chapel Lane
STATUS: Advanced Planning


DATE: 27 April - 06 May
DETAIL: BDUK PCP3 - Install 1m of 1 way poly duct in Footway,Install 4m of 1 way poly duct in Verge,Provide 1 Cabinet and base (NGA cabinets)....
LOCATION: Chapel Lane
STATUS: Advanced Planning



So, it looks like power is due to go in towards the end of the month/beginning of next? We (my area) might actually go live by end of June after all.

Plenty of activity down by the exchange as I tumbled past earlier this afternoon. All Openreach vans. Time will tell if things happen on time lol

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Plenty of activity down by the exchange as I tumbled past earlier this afternoon. All Openreach vans. Time will tell if things happen on time lol

Sounds promising.

Were you able to have a chat with any one to get more info? Unfortunately I leave before 8am and only get back at about 7pm on weekdays by which time I'm sure they'd have left already, so very little chance I'd get an opportunity to speak to them.

Unfortunately not, I was heading by in the car.

In reply to a post by Salem874:

On a positive note, my postcode is showing as my cabinet should be live by 30 June on Connecting Cambridgeshire's website...

In reply to a post by Salem874:

Clicking on my property on Connecting Cambridgeshire's Coverage Map page, In addition to being told that cabinets are due to go live by 30/06/2015, It is now also listing TWO coming soon cabinets. Stretham P2, and Stretham P4.

The question now is, is the coverage map accurate to postcode level rather than property (which I guess would be the case). Also, which cabinet am i likely to be connected to, 2 or 4? Given that Cabinet 2 is about half the distance from my property than 4, I'm guessing 2 would make more sense. And if so, i guess it'd be likely to be on FTTP. Surely they wont (I wouldn't have thought they could, given the distance bwteen the two) put the phone on one cabinet and use the other for internet? Or is it gonna be a case of luck which cabinet the Openreach engineer decides to connect us to, hence why both are being listed?

In reply to a post by FredTheB:

Cab 2 is planned for FTTP in BDUK Phase 11a for Cambridgeshire.
Cabs 3 & 4 are both planned for FTTC later on this year

So few weeks ago, Connecting Cambridgeshire listed both P2 and P4 as cabinets when clicking on my property.

Checking this again today, it's not only listing P2, the existing Cabinet which is nearer to my EO property than P3 & P4 which is being installed nearer the exchange. This makes sense to me given that i'm nearer P2 than i am any of the other possible connection points, especially if the reason for P2 being FTTP is due to the distance from the exchange. The only strange thing is the go-live date of P2, which is now listed as 30 March (it was previously 30/06/2015 as noted above). I guess it's time to ask Connecting Cambridgedshire for an update.

Has anyone else heard any more news? Would P2's live date depend on things like Power which appears to be worked on at the new P3 & P4 sites as of tomorrow, or do we think it's ready as-is.

Not heard a thing, but then I haven't been in touch with Connecting Cambs since i'm assuming 30/06/15 will be when cab 2 goes live with FTTP, around the same time either cab 3 or 4 (or both) go live. Am actually wondering if all the activity there wis for an aggregation node (or maybe a handover node) for all 3 cabinets.

All speculation, though.

In reply to a post by Salem874:

In reply to a post by Salem874:

On a positive note, my postcode is showing as my cabinet should be live by 30 June on Connecting Cambridgeshire's website...

In reply to a post by Salem874:

Clicking on my property on Connecting Cambridgeshire's Coverage Map page, In addition to being told that cabinets are due to go live by 30/06/2015, It is now also listing TWO coming soon cabinets. Stretham P2, and Stretham P4.

The question now is, is the coverage map accurate to postcode level rather than property (which I guess would be the case). Also, which cabinet am i likely to be connected to, 2 or 4? Given that Cabinet 2 is about half the distance from my property than 4, I'm guessing 2 would make more sense. And if so, i guess it'd be likely to be on FTTP. Surely they wont (I wouldn't have thought they could, given the distance bwteen the two) put the phone on one cabinet and use the other for internet? Or is it gonna be a case of luck which cabinet the Openreach engineer decides to connect us to, hence why both are being listed?

In reply to a post by FredTheB:

Cab 2 is planned for FTTP in BDUK Phase 11a for Cambridgeshire.
Cabs 3 & 4 are both planned for FTTC later on this year

So few weeks ago, Connecting Cambridgeshire listed both P2 and P4 as cabinets when clicking on my property.

Checking this again today, it's not only listing P2, the existing Cabinet which is nearer to my EO property than P3 & P4 which is being installed nearer the exchange. This makes sense to me given that i'm nearer P2 than i am any of the other possible connection points, especially if the reason for P2 being FTTP is due to the distance from the exchange. The only strange thing is the go-live date of P2, which is now listed as 30 March (it was previously 30/06/2015 as noted above). I guess it's time to ask Connecting Cambridgedshire for an update.

Has anyone else heard any more news? Would P2's live date depend on things like Power which appears to be worked on at the new P3 & P4 sites as of tomorrow, or do we think it's ready as-is.

So, I did get hold of someone at Connecting Cambs a few weeks ago, but have unfortunately been really busy and this have been unable to get a moment to post an update...

On 1 May, I DM'd the connecting Cambs team asking for an update, especially as my (EO) property now listed Cab 2 (only) with a go live date of 31/03/2015 (note in MAY) when it had previously been 30/06/2015.

In summary, the response I got was...

1) "Both" EO Cabinates are due to go live in June
2) Two FTTP Structures due to be erected on Cambridge Road (A10) to continue through to September
3) My postcode is flagged as FTTP
4) FTTP taking longer as requires extensive work, including traffic management and work that needs to be carried out at night.
5) Difficult to give timelines for EO lines, due to these complexities, for this reason a time frame of between Mar - September is being "quoted".

So...given the above, I now know my property should indeed be FTTP (given my postcode is flagged as such). Despite the statement the FTTP roll-out could be completed as late as September, clicking on my property still quotes 30/09/2015 as the "go live" date on their coverage map (which appears to again have been reverted to the previous version which listed both Cab 2 & Cab 4 when clicking on my property). If the dates listed are still correct, i might be "easier" FTTP roll-out (if there's such a thing), either that or they'll delay it again. We already kno that Cab 2 is FTTP, where as Cab 4 is FTTC, so i guess i'm on Cab 2?

I've just had another look at RoadWorks.org.uk, work is scheduled Thursday & Saturday (28-30 May) on the intersection at Wilburton Road/A1123 & Breach Lane. The description of this work reads as follows:

BDUK 3 NIGHTS OF MULTIPHASE LIGHTS ON JUNCTIONS AND 2 WAY LIGHTS ON OPEN STRETCHES REQUIRED FOR SAFE ACCESS TO SURFACE BOXES....

One ting to note is, that this work looks to be planned for overnight. Additionally, it is positioned in an area which (according to Connecting Cambridgeshire's coverage map) already has Superfast Broadband available (marked in green). Clicking on the approximate spot, lists Haddenham Cab 3 (Live) and...the FTTP Stretham Cab 2 (Coming Soon). With this info, I am (slightly more hopeful that we might indeed be able to order by the end of June.

One question that's on my mind though, why MUST work be carried out at night? I take it this is due to the locality/local roads/environment and not really a general case for FTTP infrastructure right?

Yeah, in that particular instance the map is wrong. Breach Lane would definitely be Stretham cabinet 2 rather than Haddenham exchange cabinet 3, otherwise that would be some fairly strange network arrangement lol

I haven't contact Connecting Cambridgeshire myself, i've had some personal issues to deal with so haven't had the time.

The last time i checked our new go live date was 30/06/2015. Again, breath will not be held

Things are looking up.

So, after a longer day at work, came home, and to see three men Openreach in high vis jackets walking down the road, carrying those temporary barriers, at about 20:00. All three gathered and stopped outside the manhole cover (is that what you call them) just outside...

So they are working from this evening. Had a not been so exhausted, I'd normally go and try and find out specifics. Maybe tomorrow..

A wrong click on the BTw checker shows at least one of the new PCPs is up and running with lines connected to it. PCP4 I think.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

A wrong click on the BTw checker shows at least one of the new PCPs is up and running with lines connected to it. PCP4 I think.

thats Interesting. Cant you remember which wrong click(s) you made?

Edited by Salem874 (Sun 14-Jun-15 13:52:34)

I think it was the phone number for the pub lol. I was after a different one in the list, got that instead.

I just checked again. It's PCP4, which is now live and accepting orders, apparently.

PCP3 is in place as well it seems, but not taking orders yet (took me a while to find any part of Stretham it serves!). Is it obvious i've got a bit of time to kill? lol

So...I recently got our home BT account switched over to my name, and as such, we now have a temporary landline number, while I get the old number re-assigned to the account.

I've just done a check on the BT Wholesale checker, and as expected our old number yields no results. Entering the new number however, shows that we're on Cab 4, and can indeed get FTTC.

What i dont understand though is, surely the account (and this number switch) is purely computerised, and no one comes out to reconnect anything physically? Why would we be EO on our old number (pre-Thursday last week), and the account switched over on Friday resulting in a new Number which is now connected to Cab 4. Or are BT's databases not fully in sync? When I get our old number back (by Wednesday apparently) will we be on Cab 4, or back to EO?

Well from what I can make out, there are no EO lines any more as PCP3 and 4 took care of that. You could try placing an order for fibre and see what happens.

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Well from what I can make out, there are no EO lines any more as PCP3 and 4 took care of that. You could try placing an order for fibre and see what happens.

Surely if some in Stretham were to be on FTTP, then they could surely not have hooked all ex-EO lines to a cabinet?

I might try that, I'm just worried that it cause be problematic given my number is due to change in the next few days. I'm also secretly hoping we're not on Cab 4 as it is a distance away from us (its basically at the exchange)

If you're on a new number it is quite possible that the checker is showing details for the previous location to which the number was allocated. I'd wait a few days and check again as it could update and change. I'd also wait as you are hoping to restore your original number.

I Just checked SamKnows, as I'd done a search on their on Thursday/Friday and even they now list FTTC when they didnt last week when I checked...

Edited by Salem874 (Sun 14-Jun-15 18:36:10)

Also says FTTP if you do a house number and postcode check lol

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Also says FTTP if you do a house number and postcode check lol

Would this be SamKnows or the BT Wholesale checker?

I've checked the wholesale checker, and for me it still says FTTC. Is really strange as Connecting Cambs is still listing both Cab 2 & 4 in my postcode (particularly when click on my property), although they could just have not updated their info yet as the new cabs are still listed as not yet live according to their cabinet map.

Connecting Cambridgeshire's site may get updated tomorrow though. SamKnows says FTTC and FTTP.

Sorry, i couldnt see the House Number & Postcode option on Sam Knows until now.

Does SamKnows take the two combined as a reference for the search? I mean, Surely a particular property would be either FTTP OR FTTC, not both? I'm wondering if SamKnows is just using the postcode (although what would then be the point of providing house number).

Inserting my house number and postcode, I too get FTTC & FTTP.

Cabinets 3 and 4 now appear to be live, accepting orders. Just waiting for cabinet 2 now.

In reply to a post by Salem874:

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

Well from what I can make out, there are no EO lines any more as PCP3 and 4 took care of that. You could try placing an order for fibre and see what happens.

Surely if some in Stretham were to be on FTTP, then they could surely not have hooked all ex-EO lines to a cabinet?

I might try that, I'm just worried that it cause be problematic given my number is due to change in the next few days. I'm also secretly hoping we're not on Cab 4 as it is a distance away from us (its basically at the exchange)

So...this is interesting.

Following being listed as being on Cab 4 over the weekend using my new (temporary) landline number, and being told by BT Wholesale's checker, BT Support & Connecting Cambs over the last two days that fibre is was available, I have now checked again now that my old landline number has been restored to my account.

Now, although it still lists me as being on Cab 4, it's now saying fibre is not available!

might need to give it a day or two to update

Still trying to get my ADSL BB sorted after my account holder changes two weeks ago, so havent ordered Fibre just yet as i want to be confident that my line is working (for over a week now my speeds are near enough ZERO (if i'm lucky im getting 0.5Mb/s) on a line that used to AWLAYS get 6-8Mbps until the account change. Dealing with BT has been a pain!

Speaking of which, looking at the New FTTC/FTTP areas for w/e 21st June 2015 Part 1 N-Z post, i notice that Stretham is listed with "UAX Z" as a prefix. Does anyone know what this means. I notice also that this week's list contains many such suffixes, what are these for?

AAnnnd just for completeness and to tidy the thread... Cabinet 2's area is now live with FTTP. Order has been placed

In reply to a post by EddyTheDog:

AAnnnd just for completeness and to tidy the thread... Cabinet 2's area is now live with FTTP. Order has been placed

Enjoy it. I've got 40-50Mb/s on my FTTC connection, thanks to being hooked up to a cab after being Exchange only. Sadly we are so far from the cab (which is in the area of the exchange anyway) we dont get the higher speeds. I just wish they couldve just connected us to FTTP (i know for a fact the cables go passed my house, as we saw them instaling it....oh well

In reply to a post by Salem874:

I just wish they couldve just connected us to FTTP (i know for a fact the cables go passed my house, as we saw them instaling it....oh well

Bet you wouldn't, we are down for FTTP and have been since end of 2011, so that's a 4 year wait for the hardware that's been there for 4 years to be turned on.

Granted we are part of the original 66% Commercial FTTP Project that was put on hold for all the BDUK work (I guess that's what happens when you live in Greater London), so you "might" of been ok.

Our local MP was told by BT's Head of parliamentary affairs that our FTTP has a projected completion date of end of the month, so hopefully it will.

Paul

Yes I was surprised just how far up towards the roundabout the FTTP is, but I don't think it's all accepting orders yet.

I went for Infinity 1 in the end, suits the needs of the household.. and my budget lol

How's everyone's connection in Stretham been over the last month or so?

My Home Hub 5 has been dropping WAN (internet connection) a lot recently. The definition of "a lot" (ie how often) varies but at it's worst it was dropping every 5 minutes.

After a lot of phoning BT (in India!) and being sent another Home Hub (5A again) to test if my (8 month) old Hub was faulty, I had a engineer visit on Wednesday (connection still dropped with second Hub). Again, Engineer said line tests are OK, just as the indian call agents advised when i called (although they could see the dropped connections). The engineer was however worried about out speed, as he was only getting 30Mb/s on a test, according to him we should be getting 40. We've had about 47Mb/s consistently for about the first month, this then slow started lowering (with no apparent instability on the line, no drop-outs), with the Hub eventually settling down to syncing at round about 37Mb/s.

Anyway, engineer went into the loft to check cabling, but all he could see of concern was that the cable was passing through some old connector of some sort (sounds like this isnt used nowadays), so he crimped the cable to bypass it, thinking this COULD cause issues.

Just now however, we again had a connection drop!

So, if there's nothing wrong in the property cablling, surely it's something else? Any ideas? I hope i'm not the only one seeing issues.

Personally, my connection has been rock solid, but that's as I would expect of FTTP. My HH5 type B does it's usual fortnightly reboot regular as clockwork. I had heard rumour of connection issues in the area in general, though, on FTTC.. no idea what that's all about.

Apart from that, the shiney new EE4G is doing OK, with O2/Vodafone due in the next few months I gather.

(Wondered who resurrected this old thread lol)

I am moving to the Manor Farm development in the next month or so.

Apparently we're served by Cabinet 3 which is "accepting orders" but the open reach website states "Your cabinet is enabled for Superfast fibre however you're not able to order fibre just yet. This might be because the length of the line is too long to get Superfast speeds. We're actively looking at other options."

Would anyone have an update as to progress on Superfast from this cabinet?

All help greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

Do you have the actual postcodes for the development?

Cabinet 3 is and taking orders in Stretham eg CB6 3JW

It is possible that the checkers simply don't understand the locations properly yet, and will be resolved once actual phone lines are installed i.e. there is always a chicken and egg game with totally new developments.

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Postcode is CB6 3GH.

It's all a bit confusing. I'm moving my BB from existing house in Norfolk where I have super fast, but BT won't let me order anything except standard 8MB service.

Frustrating. Many Thanks

16 PETERSFIELD, STRETHAM, ELY, CB6 3GH can order and has a range of 32 to 64 Mbps, so as long as you are within a reasonable distance no reason why not.

There is a thing called gold/silver/bronze addresses and for checkers to work properly address needs to be Gold, and in your case I suspect the checkers need an update, and this may well not actually happen until the copper phone line has been installed at the property. In short something of a leap of faith, though with the ADSL2+ estimates at 10 to 19 Mbps it should be liveable once in property and pushing provider to get the checkers updated if they don't do it automagically.

Thanks Andrew.

So you think that both the openreach and BT (provider) websites aren't correctly indentifyingthe property as being super fast enabled, or ready.

BT site states that I can only have "standard" BB, no superfast option.

Many thanks.

Standard broadband these days means "not FTTC/P". It means any ADSLx service that is available at the address, not just ADSL Max.

Issue when this has happened before is that because no active phone line in a property and never has been one they cannot provide a reliable estimate.

Some providers might understand and push you through as a manual order, others (generally the larger ones will just say computer says ADSL2+ only), but I would expect checker to update a few weeks later, so people do order and upgrade subsequently so long as their ADSL2+ contract allows them.