NGA is being removed.

Availablity date on BT checker is 30th June. Roadworks.org says my NGA is being removed. Is this normal and will they site it elsewhere? It's in the middle loading bay doors. Will they move it away from us or closer? Shall I ask when I see them doing it?

Edited by deleted (Tue 12-May-15 16:15:14)

If it is having to be relocated and not live, then where it goes may take some time decide. All depends on what space is available locally and the impact this has on the cost of supplying power.

it has space the other side of the PCP they are about 10M apart. I just hope we don't get the service totally removed.

Are you live and using that ACTUAL fibre cabinet? It sounds like you are, and if it is moved then unless the new one is stood first there will be downtime, and would have expected notification to all providers.

Have never come across the moving of live FTTC

Hello, No I am on ADSL because as of this time BT say the RFS date is the 30th of June. The NGA is sat between 2 loading bays with the PCP to the left of them. It's had a whack in the past so I am hoping they are just moving it. I guess they would have to remove the base and cover the pavement back up anyway. I can't find anything to suggest it's ever been live. No one opens a shop and says after 2 years of never opening the doors " oh well no one wants to buy from me so I will close again"

SO not sure if BT have even given the viability a chance. I will try and grab the workmen when they start which is on Friday I think

My friend had his cab de commissioned as he was the only one on it - they gave him some vouchers and a years free ADSL or something. That was a few years ago.

If it is not live then zero impact on you for now, but might mean delivery of final service goes to the back of queue as planning and request for power supply to a different point in the ground takes place.

As for a decommissioned cabinet - if you are able to provide detail that would be very interesting.

Cabs being stood in wrong place and council insisting on a move is not unheard of, have covered several before in the news.

I will ask my friend to write about it so it's as accurate as can be and then I will pass it on to you via e-mail.

zero impact I agree but I was hoping to get away from slow cable as 3mbps in the evenings is not acceptable. hence the ADSL but I wanted to upgrade that also.

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Availablity date on BT checker is 30th June. Roadworks.org says my NGA is being removed. Is this normal and will they site it elsewhere? It's in the middle loading bay doors. Will they move it away from us or closer? Shall I ask when I see them doing it?

Standard wording is eg. 'Description: Install 64m of 2 poly ducts in Footway,Provide 1 Provide/Recover 1 NGA Cab and base (1.5m x 0.5m)'.

Ah right yes I remember seeing that somewhere else. I will look out for it when this has happened and if I don't get to ask .

Thanks

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Ah right yes I remember seeing that somewhere else. I will look out for it when this has happened and if I don't get to ask .

Thanks

Like I said via PM, the following could either be a complete removal resulting in no fibre, or it could be a relocation closer to the PCP cabinet.

Location: (PCP33), NGA RELATED WORKS, SIDE OF H S S Hire Group plc 372 Chepstow Road ON HAWARDEN ROAD.
Description: Remove Cabinet and base (NGA cabinets).

I to be honest think its probably going to be the second, the reason for this thinking is if they have already laid the fibre and the cabinet was ready to go live then BTOR would loose huge amounts of money for the fibre that has already been laid, and relocating the fibre cabinet closer to the PCP cabinet would just require a new short length of fibre from the pit/chamber on the corner of the road up to the new location of the fibre cabinet.

As for keeping a look out for "install poly duct etc" message on roadworks you may have a rather long wait, the work to remove the cabinet and base is due to start the end of the month, and asking for planning permission to dig up the pavement etc can take a while.
But saying that, it has been known in small occasions for BT to run things side by side where they may install the new cabinet before the old one has been removed.

Paul

Its probably just going to be replaced due to the accident damage it sustained

In reply to a post by Ribble:

Its probably just going to be replaced due to the accident damage it sustained

Yeah we discussed this via PM but the base wouldn't be removed for a replacement unless the base was also damaged.

Paul

Looks like its being rebuilt from scratch

In reply to a post by Ribble:

Looks like its being rebuilt from scratch

That makes sense, base could be warped or could have fractures in it.

Paul

Thanks for the reply all - I will see what they do the work is due to start soon I think (next few days)

However as of this afternoon FTTC is no longer showing on the BT checker so I can only assume they are ripping it out for good

Edited by deleted (Wed 13-May-15 19:57:48)

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Thanks for the reply all - I will see what they do the work is due to start soon I think (next few days)

However as of this afternoon FTTC is no longer showing on the BT checker so I can only assume they are ripping it out for good

It could be like Ribble said, it's probably a complete replacement which may take a little while to complete, can you do a screen shot of the BTW page with address/phone number blanked out, I am guessing that directly below the speeds table there is a message saying its unavailable atm.
This would also result in the FTTC option being removed to stop confusion to users as well as ISP's.

Paul

Sure

This is when I do the address checker

http://prntscr.com/74ujim

And when I just do it via phone number

http://prntscr.com/74ujkj

Well your getting that message I said for the address but not for the phone number.
But I think its due to it being replaced.

So fingers crossed.

Paul

Yes I hope so!

I am looking out every day for the workmen. The barriers are around it but no one has been near it so far. The roadworks.org website says Friday is the day

Well there is no harm in asking them where and when the new cabinet will be installed when they come to remove the old one.

Paul

And just hope they don't say it's not!

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

And just hope they don't say it's not!

I don't think they would say that they are not, if they have already blown in the actual fibre it would seem a waste of money to just to pull up all the fibre etc.

Paul

Well I assume it's there. The message saying it's taking longer than usual wouldn't be there otherwise? I know it's has power I have heard it humming

Both BT and super fast have replied to me and say it'd being replaced but won't be ready until end of October which is the same day my A&A contract is up

So perfect timing although not sure why it would take so long

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Both BT and super fast have replied to me and say it'd being replaced but won't be ready until end of October which is the same day my A&A contract is up

So perfect timing although not sure why it would take so long

Planning Permission for the cabinet, the laying of fibre (if cabinet is placed in a different location) and also power.
Also the different teams maybe busy and their next free slot could be 3 weeks from now, the fibre from the corner pit/chamber to the cabinet may even need to be replaced due to the fibre could of been fractured.

Also the scheduling of the different teams might also add delays and "could" be like the following:

1. Get Electric Company to cut power.
2. Get BT Engineer to disconnect copper lines and fibre.
3. Get Installers to remove cabinet.
4. (skip if in same location) Get roadworks to fill in old pit and dig new pit.
5. Get installers to install new cabinet in its old or new location.
6. Get BT Engineer to connect up all fibre and copper bridge.
7. Get Electrical Company to connect power.
8. Do loads of tests.
9. Go Live.

The time is getting all the different teams allocated to the job, which is why you see some cabinets just sitting there with nothing done to it for ages.

We have the same with our brand new PCP Cabinet which is located a couple of feet away from our old PCP Cabinet, TBH I am not even sure if BT have done anything with it yet.

So that's why it can take a while to go from being installed to going live.

Paul

The checker is back again showing 30th June on the phone number

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

The checker is back again showing 30th June on the phone number

See, told ya.
Just over a month and half to wait, nice

Paul

BT told me 30th October was now the RFS date. I don't believe the one on the website.

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

BT told me 30th October was now the RFS date. I don't believe the one on the website.

Ah, I say pick a date between the both and hope for that.
BT could just being cautious just in case of delays etc, so end of October could be the worse case date.

Paul

Thanks for the info. There's nothing I can do until then anyway so it fits in perfectly

Well today's work has been productive.

The new one is what a metre to the left of the old one? The one being replaced because someone hit it with a lorry?

Hmm?

http://prntscr.com/75h26a

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-May-15 14:23:16)

Well at least it's being replaced. There is one on the other side of town near Tredegar House (SWMES PCP3) that was struck by something and it has been surrounded by barriers and electrical tape for months!

According to someone who lives next to it over a year and a half here

That is silly, would of been better next to the PCP cabinet, they have to run a new fresh fibre cable from the corner to the new fibre cabinet unless they splice and join the extra to it.

Maybe the reason why it has to be a set distance from the PCP is that the Fibre Cabinet gives of noise which could interfere with the copper lines or vice versa.

Anyhow that not bad going, old removed the same time new inserted, so just a move over to the new cabinet, nice.

So the date I said might be correct

Paul

Old one is still there. That's a picture I took AFTER they had left

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Old one is still there. That's a picture I took AFTER they had left

Yeah I know, it will be just a matter of shifting the cables over from one to the other, that's what I meant.

Paul

Well I will give it a month until it's hit again..

In reply to a post by PaulKirby:

Maybe the reason why it has to be a set distance from the PCP is that the Fibre Cabinet gives of noise which could interfere with the copper lines or vice versa.

There is no set distance apart from a maximum. I have seen original PCPs and Fibre Cabs almost touching as well as being almost 100m apart.

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Well I will give it a month until it's hit again..

^^^ Gets out his 30 year old BMX Bike (with cob webs) and rams new Fibre Cabinet, knocking off the doors ^^^

I am hoping to take some pictures when they come back to work on our FTTP install, I probably wont see anyone until the fibre is blown to the pit by our pole (across the road from us), so I won't know anything is going on until then due to there will probably be no info on roadworks unless issues.

So if all goes well and I notice them and they don't mind me taking pictures I should have pictures of the fibre hardware in the pit along with our very old messy copper shield enclosure.

The guys back in 2011 was very chatty and was chatting to they for a few hours while they was working.

Paul

In reply to a post by MHC:

There is no set distance apart from a maximum. I have seen original PCPs and Fibre Cabs almost touching as well as being almost 100m apart.

Yeah I knew there was a max limit of about 100m, wasn't too sure if there was a minimum distance.

Paul

Yeah you take your FTTP Pictures, We won't be jealous much :/

There are FTTP installs in Newport too if you know where to look. The new houses on the old Monmouthshire Bank sidings for one...

In reply to a post by AAuser27:

Yeah you take your FTTP Pictures, We won't be jealous much :/

Well like I told Ribble if it takes about another 5 - 6 Months for BTOR to come back to finish off our install, I will bake a cake with 4 candles on it
So now I need to learn to cook a cake to celebrate 4 years wait LOL.

But "hopefully" it shouldn't be that long, just to allocate engineers a time slot to blow down fibre and connect both ends.

Been about 3.5 years wait with all the fibre hardware on the pole in the pit staring at me, tormenting me every time I see it

Its a shame I don't have a HD Video Camera to record time-lapse of the install

J/k LOL

Paul

Ah yes I know it.

It's just a shame they only seem to confine it to places like that. It's almost like they think no one else is able to afford it.

I'm looking to get EoFTTC now anyway from AA. It's a good price for TTB grade FTTC

Or H & S say it is in front of a fire exit.

You are right as I think it is now :/

Keep in mind that no matter what that distance is, it adds to the D-side length to the customer's house etc, thus reducing particularly the potential Download Speeds.


In my case with the FTTC 10 Metres from my front door, the PCP about 45 Metres further on, results in the VDSL signals having to traverse 300 Metres to get to my front door - only 10 metres away.

And plenty of space alongside the PCP, as well as similar electricity supplies etc.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

And plenty of space alongside the PCP, as well as similar electricity supplies etc.

Remember that space underground is as important as space above ground.

Agreed, that aspect must not be overlooked.


But I happen to know that there is plenty of such space in that location, as I and my family are the very first residents on this estate absolutely; and also before that specific area was built.

Apart from grass, there are no trees, bushes even to have prevented the FTTC's location quite close to the PCP.

-------------------------------

The FTTC's actual location has resulted in the removal of various Traffic Signs, some being re-erected in mis-leading ways; and possibly/probably not conforming to the appropriate legislation, regulations etc, in the immediate vicinity of a double-crossing in the immediate approach to a primary school main pedestrian entrance, right on the brow of a 1:7 rise, on a blind-corner "T" junction!, with no footpath in the blind area or the opposite side - yet used by about approaching half the pupils and parents, by walking on the narrowish road in that blind area!

The horizontal of the T has several bus routes; and is also leads on to newer estates, so particularly at school times, can be surprisingly busy.

"And I am not making it up!"

Much of this can be seen on Street View, as the Google Camera Car happened to survey the area at the School's Afternoon Closing Time in April 2009 - and there are many more pupils now, particularly due to the building of another major estate.

The School Crossing Controller can be seen from the foot/approach to the blind hump, silhouetted against the sky, with children crossing.

This would/should not have occurred if the FTTC (November 2013) had been placed close to the PCP.

One aspect I'm fairly sure about (but not absolutely) is that the tie cables don't go direct from PCP to the fibre cabinet.

Instead, BTOR seem to design them to go via an underground footway chamber, or in some cases two of the chambers.

I do sometimes wonder if some odd placement choices stem from limitations in the existing chamber, and the directions that available inlets point. Or perhaps a choice of the direction that causes least disturbance to existing ducting.

If there are restrictions in the use of chamber inlets, then the current requirements for ducting to be as straight as possible with no bends will mean there is less choice for placement of the FTTC cab too.

I've noticed previously a tendency for BT to choose to put the FTTC cabinet on the opposite side of the road from the PCP. This certainly isn't true in all cases, but I've seen it in lots of places where it doesn't seem to be a strict necessity. Perhaps these happen due to similar restrictions.

In Suffolk there has been a lot of moving the locations of new DSLAMS and/or new PCPs. They will get built and powered up, and then a few weeks or months later roadworks will say "DEMOLISH AND REPLACE WITH.....", but then frustratingly you can't read any more on the roadworks.org description. I've seen one case where it seemed like a whole street was being re-wired, due to extensive groundworks and road closures, but then it seemed like both cabs remained where they'd been installed, although a massive re-wiring or ducting operation was necessary. There's another one going to be happening right near me so I could log and ask what happens; this being the 2nd brand new PCP and DSLAM for the EO arrangement for my town. Andrew's list confirmed that the first of the two cabs (on paper) went live I think two weeks ago. This is exactly the same thing, but the other side of the same car park, opposite the exchange.

I wonder if when things are very close to the exchange, they could have understandable physical space problems with huge volumes of cabling and existing ducting which was designed in the 60s (or before)? i.e., problems which won't be solved by simply creating one of two new footway boxes; indeed, things which involve the core exit/entrance cabling from the exchange?

Edited by deleted (Sun 17-May-15 11:45:03)

Well it's all been done. Old one gone pavement made good. Just waiting now for the testing to complete so they will make it live

In reply to a post by gazzyk1ns:

I wonder if when things are very close to the exchange, they could have understandable physical space problems with huge volumes of cabling and existing ducting which was designed in the 60s (or before)? i.e., problems which won't be solved by simply creating one of two new footway boxes; indeed, things which involve the core exit/entrance cabling from the exchange?

I've wondered similar things - the pavements close to exchange buildings must be heaving!

The cases of adding a PCP where only EO lines existed must be an interesting challenge, as the line must be broken at some point, wired into both an E-side and a D-side connector within the new PCP, and a jumper cable added.

Of course, to preserve the circuit, and to allows service to be provided unbroken, the existing line can only be broken after the other tasks have been completed. It must be a fun task ... made even harder if there is no spare room under the pavements!