Fibre Availability Contradictory Info. & Router Question

We are thinking of upgrading to fibre broadband. However both BT and TalkTalk say it is not available to our postcode. However Plusnet says it is available. Should I believe PlusNet or do they all share the same infrastructure, in which case Plusnet are probably not telling me the truth.

Also, do you have to take the router that the ISP supplies for broadband. We currently have a Billion BIPAC 7800 DX Triple-WAN Dual-Band Wireless-N 600Mbps 3G/4G LTE ADSL2+/Fibre VPN Broadband Router. This BiPAC 7800DX ADSL2+ router supports superfast fibre connections via dual-WAN connectivity through a Gigabit Ethernet WAN port. Will it do the job for me better than the router the ISP is likely to supply. It has a good wireless range and allows dual networks (a main and a guest network (the latter for internet only)).

Have you tried the BT checker? http://dslchecker.bt.com/ and use your phone number. Cut and paste the output whilst hiding your number. If that says yes, then fine.

If not, try the address checker to see if there is an anomaly with your number. Just enter te postcode and it will give a list of a address and select yours and a few neighbours to see if any can get FTTC. If it still says NO for you and yes for a neighbour then there might be a database issue.

PlusNet normally supply an all in one solution just like BT and TalkTalk do now, so you would need a VDSL2 modem to convert from VDSL2 to a bridged Ethernet connection. Current mentions in that regard are HG612 or TP Link W9970 which while mainly a VDSL2 modem/router does have support for bridge mode.

The 7800 DX is getting fairly old in terms of top performance wireless devices now, since it does not do 802.11ac or dual-band but if your VDSL2 speeds are not massively high that may be less of a concern, i.e. some ISP kit may perform better for wireless connectivity

Thanks - Wouldn't recognise on number - had to work from address. It says 'waiting list' for address and neighbours so PlusNet must be wrong.

Any response on the router question?

Address CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, KENNETH ROAD, BENFLEET, SS7 3AL on Exchange SOUTH BENFLEET is served by Cabinet 3
Featured Products

Downstream Line Rate(Mbps)

Upstream Line Rate(Mbps)

Downstream Range(Mbps)

Availability Date

High Low High Low
FTTC Range A (Clean) 80 66.6 20 20 -- Waiting list
FTTC Range B (Impacted) 71.4 38.5 20 12.9 -- Waiting list
WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 8 -- 6.5 to 14 Available
WBC ADSL 2+ Annex M Up to 8 Up to 1 6.5 to 14 Available
ADSL Max Up to 6 -- 5 to 8 Available
WBC Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available
Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available
Other Offerings
FTTP on Demand 330 30 -- Available
Fibre Multicast -- -- -- Available
Copper Multicast -- -- -- Available
This PCP has a waiters list for FTTC services. You may place an order which will be dealt with in turn.
WBC SOGEA is currently not available on this cabinet due to following reasons:- Sorry your cabinet is temporarily unavailable, capacity will be restored as soon as possible.

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC or WBC SOGEA) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For FTTC Ranges A and B, the term "Clean" relates to a line which is free from any wiring issues (e.g. Bridge Taps) and/or Copper line conditions, and the term "Impacted" relates to a line which may have wiring issues (e.g. Bridge Taps) and/or Copper line conditions.

Throughput/download speeds will be less than line rates and can be affected by a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

The Stop Sale date for Datastream is from 30-Jun-2012; the Formal Retirement date for Datastream is from 30-Jun-2014. The Stop Sale date for IPstream is from 31-Oct-2012; the Formal Retirement date for IPstream is from 30-Jun-2014.

Note: 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.
The DP is external to the end user premises.

Please note that postcode and address check results are indicative only. Most accurate results can be obtained from a telephone number check.

It is probably an interpretation issue. All will have seen the same information however some interpreted it as "not available" without telling you it may be when either a port is freed up or the cabinet upgraded whereas PlusNet were correct to a degree in saying your could get FTTC but failed to say you would need to wait. None of them told you te full story!

The whole point of the "waiting list" is that it allows ISP's to place an order for you, that queues up to 90 days waiting for capacity to become available, with the queue working in a first-come, first-served order.

It is a new feature from Openreach and BTW, but not many ISPs make use of it yet - and a lot of the script-based sales & support staff probably don't even know it exists.

Eventually, some ISP will amend their systems to accept an order from you, which will then wait. Who knows - Plusnet may have just become the first one.