Unusual BDUK Works

I recently contacted my local BDUK team (Superfast South Yorkshire) regarding some of their local projects, and they informed me that a nearby block of houses had their lines switched from exchange-only to cabinet 8 (Ranmoor), the same cabinet as mine. What really surprised me is that cabinet 8 is over a mile away (estimated speeds of 15Mbps), yet there are about 3 or 4 cabinets nearby within 200m.
I thought BDUK projects usually build another cabinet to provide for the lines. Why would they decide to do that?

Edited by thebigdolphin1 (Fri 19-Aug-16 13:10:04)

A lot depends on the existing cable routing, it may that this was the most cost effective way of giving a boost above current speeds that meets USO and future USO requirement.

EO lines don't always get a new cabinet of their own, and some even get FTTP

What speeds are the BDUK projects typically aiming for? I thought their plan was for "superfast" speeds of 24Mbps.

Depends on the contract agreement between the LA/Government.
If, like some BDUK programmes, have defined areas to receive a minimum speed of 2Mbps then moving some lines in that area to a cabinet some distance away that already has a DSLAM cab attached may be justified by this, if they can then receive more than 2Mbps.

Also depends on what budget they have set for individual premises too.

Thank you for the information. I thought the USO was to be covered by BT, and the "superfast" 24+Mbps speeds were to be rolled out by the BDUK projects - I guess I was wrong.,

Are you sure the closer ones are BT, not VM Cable? Pictures.

There are a couple of later BT ones combining PCP and DSLAM provision, often used for EO conversion. They are basically similar to the Huawei ones I think

BT is the only provider of cabled broadband within a 1-2 mile radius of my home.

BT has not been given a USO objective yet, because it is not law yet and massive debate as to who gets it, and may go to regional bids or even smaller bids.

BUT many of the BDUK projects had multiple targets

e.g. % at over 24 Mbps
% at over 15 Mbps
% at over 2 Mbps

It may be the work to satisfy 1 was too expensive but a cheap rejig meant the 2nd and 3rd could be met.

Did they give any specific info about cabinet 8 upgrade to fttc? Thanks

Hey again!
Unfortunately not, I've sent numerous emails (at least a dozen, no word of a lie) to Openreach and I received no response - the only responses I've received are automated ones from their residential contact form. I'm probably on some sort of email blacklist by now.

It's going to be a while until all of the local BDUK projects are completed, which it seems Openreach are waiting on before they continue work on our commercial cabinet. However, the fact that our BDUK project are connecting lines to our cabinet to increase speeds does suggest that it at least will be enabled at some point (they're not going to completely abandon it), and possibly in a short period of time (although honestly, I doubt it).

I did notice that an ISP named "pine media" claims to cover the majority of S10 with wireless (I believe- their website doesn't explain things very well) broadband with speed packages up to 100mbps, but they're a small company and the packages are rather pricey.

I might give up with following this delay up and see if my local area would be interested in a community funded fibre cabinet, although I don't really see that happening either (only around 100 homes, and funding can be quite pricey).

Edited by thebigdolphin1 (Fri 19-Aug-16 16:14:32)

Make sure you fill in Openreach's expression of interest form so they know there's a high demand for fibre on the cabinet - I've got a couple neighbours and other houses nearby to register. If possible, try and get a few neighbours to also do the same.

You could also try the expression of interest form for Virgin Media - it's very unlikely they'll ever expand to our area, and will definitely take them a couple years, but its nice to have a second option available in the area.

Edited by thebigdolphin1 (Fri 19-Aug-16 16:51:22)