FTTP Access/Availability

Hi, I�m connected to cab 3 on the Newcastle Emlyn (�NCE�) exchange in Ceredigion, West Wales and am currently in the �Build Stage� of the Fibre Journey to provide a FTTP service.

BT/Openreach & Superfast Cymru�s broadband �Where & When� checkers have just been amended to indicate that a service will be available 'between Now and December 2017�. Two days ago, it was indicating �within 2 months�. I�ve also checked the positions for FTTP deployments in other nearby exchanges and the availability dates for them have also been amended to show 'between Now & December 2017�. I expect this availability change probably applies to other areas in West Wales awaiting a FTTP connection.

For cab 3 on the NCE exchange, some fibre splitters have already been installed and connected to fibre near to some properties in Cwmcou village on the B4570. However, fibre splitters are yet to be installed to serve those properties along the B4333 road which are mainly the longer lines to the same cab. My question is:

Will the properties in the location where the fibre splitters have already been installed and connected to fibre be able to order a FTTP service soon; or will they have to wait until all the other fibre splitters have been installed and activated for the other properties connected to the same cab?

Usually orders can be taken once each spliiter segment is commissioned. Does not require all to be completed 1st

Very much the case, we see most FTTP areas arriving in dribs and drabs rather than all at once

Hi Mr Saffron & Witchunt - thanks for your prompt responses which are much appreciated.

I am in north Pembrokeshire and getting the same message of 'between now and December 2017' I will believe it when I get it though! not getting my hopes up.

Is there a reason behind the change to 'between now and December 2017'? Seems to have happened in a few places.

Hopefully because they are actually going to get it upgraded by that date. I remember seeing it say by July 2017 at one point, last year I think. My village had fibre laid and new poles installed 2 and a half years ago and nothing since

Just seems a bit weird that they have changed a few different places to that same date. Just wondered if there was a particular reason for it.

OpenReach often put a quarterly date (March, June, September, December), and as that date approaches they knock it back 3/6 months. Wouldn't surprise me if as December approaches the date changes again to March/June '18.

That's the thing though, prior to the change, the checker showed 2 months.

The current phase of the BT/Superfast Cymru project is scheduled to end in December 2017.

In Ceredigion, for example, there are specific cabs on 6 nearby exchanges where FTTP infrastructure build delays are continually occurring. Initial availability dates stretch back to June & September 2016 and since then have been extended on a 3 months recurring basis. The broadband checkers for all of these cabs currently estimate that a service will be available between �Now & December 2017�. This latest availability date also includes locations where fibre splitters have been installed and connected to fibre but awaiting activation. Other nearby locations are just waiting for installation of fibre splitters and splicing/connecting of the fibre prior to activation.

The usual caveat that BT trumpets to cover for extended delays is: �As long as the engineering build goes smoothly�. Whilst infrastructure delays do occur from time to time, I find it hard to believe that ongoing delays are currently occurring in 6 nearby exchange areas all at the same time. The likely reason is due to due to a lack of experienced staff to complete the final work entailed. This tinkbroadband link: : https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7760-july-update... suggests it is just a case of bodies being available to do the physical work'.

Not surprisingly, the Office of Elin Jones (AM, Ceredigion) has been inundated with messages from her constituents on the progress of the Superfast Cymru project in Ceredigion. I understand that Elin Jones met Julie James (The Welsh Government Minister responsible for overseeing the Superfast Cymru project) on this aspect and that she promised her that the first 6 months of 2017 would show a marked improvement.

BT has a lot of catching up to do to meet the December 2017 deadline in all rural areas of Wales which are having FTTP deployments under the BT/Superfast Cymru project. Unless they get a move on, I would not be surprised to see the project extended to March 2018.

Reading all of that makes me a lot less confident that my cabinet on the Trelleck exchange will get done before the end of the year.

It looks like you've had a very similar experience to me. Green boxes up on poles for a number of months, cable appearing to be in place. Total lack of transparency with regards to what is happening and when things might happen.

Hello,

Could you please give me some useful emails to contact some one in charge here in the west wales area in regard to broadband. I have recently moved to the area and have no idea who to contact.
I have tried BT, Open Reach and emailed some welsh government email all seem to try and "pass the buck" and dont want to know.

I live in Sarnau towards Penbryn (llangranog SWLGC exchange). My "broadband" is end of line and i only receive 1.2mb internet it is honestly such a pain to live with, I cant use any of my tech devices because they need constant updating, A simple 200mb update can take me 1 hour and we all know how Windows10 like's its updates. This is preventing me from working and earning money, voip has massive delays. Combine that with no mobile phone signal in the area I am truly isolated and reliant on broadband.
I have even looked into the Wide area wireless broadband offerings, but that is a no go as i have no line of sight towards a tower.

I recently checked the "welsh superfast" website and it has been updated to like you said Now and december 2017 but there is fat chance of that.

Any help would be appreciated... really is awful.
[IMG]http://beta.speedtest.net/result/6550743396.png[/IMG]

Edited by deleted (Fri 18-Aug-17 20:40:11)

I have recently moved to the area

So you did not check broadband and mobile access before you moved to the area, you live and learn.

Is your property red on this map? http://lle.gov.wales/map/ngaomr2017?lang=en#m=-4.468...
The map is the Welsh Government NGA white postcode/premises ; if your property is red then your superfast access is later than 2018, if it is not red then you should be in the current (before Mar 2018) rollout.

Ian

As for meeting contract target, what do you think it is?

The usual stated goal is 96% fibre based (VDSL2 or FTTP or cable) and very close to that i.e. looks certain for end of 2017

That is not to say that all FTTP areas or VDSL2 cabinets in the pipeline are going to be finished, but that enough will be done to meet contract targets and some may still be left waiting.

Hi 3rdWorld

The initial phase of the BT/ Superfast Cymru project was completed at the end of June 2016 following which its website and related Facebook & Twitter accounts were deleted and replaced by some pages on the Welsh Government's website.
I suggest you insert your post code and property name/no. into the following two broadband �Where & When� checkers to see whether you are in scope for superfast broadband under the project�s current phase which is due to end in December 2017.

BT/Openreach: https://www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/when-can-i-g...

Welsh Govt/Superfast Broadband: https://beta.gov.wales/go-superfast/can-i-get-it

If these checkers indicate that you are in their plans to get a fibre connection, they should indicate what type of technology (e.g. FTTC or FTTP) is to be deployed and the current progress of its roll out, if any, on the fibre journey. Let us know what it reports?

There is also an email contact enquiry point on the Welsh Governments website at: [email protected] but they can be quite slow to respond and invariably only advise you what�s being indicated on the �Where & When� checkers listed above.

If superfast broadband will not be available to you in the near future, you may be able to get connected via the Welsh Government�s �Access Broadband Cymru Scheme�, refer: https://beta.gov.wales/go-superfast/not-available-ge...

I know of two wireless broadband ISPs in this part of Ceredigion who may be able to provide you with a fast connection. They are:

Dyfed IT - http://www.dyfedit.co.uk/wireless-broadband-how-to-a...
ResQNet: http://www.resq.co.uk/

Re the lack of mobile phone signal in your area: attempts are being made to improve coverage as per: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2016/03/wales-u...

EE seems to provide the best signal in this region. If you are on EE but cannot get a signal, or only a weak one at best, try getting them to send you a signal box. I have got one of these devices which is plugged into the back of my broadband router and it has boosted the mobile phone signal from 1 bar to 5 bars. Other mobile phone operators may provide similar devices but their success may depend upon the quality of your current broadband connection.

I hope the information provided is helpful?

Thanks for link Ian, According to this it is not in the red. Lets wait and see!

Good news Broadbean2 it is stating that some of the homes in my area will be receiving fttp "in scope". I shall keep you all informed on this outcome.

Thank you for your links too.

According to Ians post my property will be receiving it, does this mean they have to do it then or could it just be we say we are but we are not going too?

From what I have seen travelling around the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion & Pembrokeshire, BT still has a lot to do in the next few months to finish the FTPP deployments that it has already started. Most, if not all, of the remaining work required just seems to be waiting for fibre splitters to be installed on poles and then connected up and activated. As alluded to in your article at: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7760-july-update... the delays in completion in some areas in Wales may just be due to a lack of bodies being available to do the physical work.

Assuming the 96% fibre-based contract looks certain to be achieved by the target date of end of December 2017, I wonder what will happen if some roll out areas in Wales, currently progressing towards completion, are not finished by that date? Would BT �down tools� and claim job/contract done or will common sense prevail and they carry on working into 2018?

For information, this link provides details of the Fibre Journey: https://www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/when-can-i-g...

In saying that some of the properties in your area will be receiving FTTP �in scope�, does this not include yours?

If the �Where & When� checkers for your post code and property name just report �Your area is currently in our plans to be upgraded with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)� but does not give any date, then work is very unlikely to begin in the current roll out phase which is ending in December 2017. Therefore, you will need to email the contact enquiry point on the Welsh Governments website at: [email protected] for further details.

Other projects have generally continued to continue areas that were in build and thus overshoot targets.

The goal for FTTP in Wales would be in the 3.5% to 4% region, so at 2.6% still some way to go.

Not my thread but thanks to all who have posted information here it is helping me also will post back if I see any progress in my area.

Thanks once again Mr Saffron to your prompt & very informative response and to others who have also contributed.
Great service as always on the tbb fforums which is very much appreciated as it adds to every ones knowledge of the subject matter.

Interestingly, on Friday, the checker changed for my area (Trelleck Cabinet 3) and I can now place an order. I was very skeptical about being the upgrade being complete any time soon.

Placed an order on the Friday, booked in for September 1st. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

Congrats - how it can all change in a flash.
Given that there are not many FTTP service providers in Wales (or the rest of the UK in that matter) did you go for BT?

Edited by deleted (Mon 21-Aug-17 16:36:46)

Yep, BT seemed the simplest route to go, for now. I had been tempted to try out Zen but decided to play it safe.

Hi,

Check to see if you can get 4G coverage from EE, using their coverage checker: https://ee.co.uk/why-ee/mobile-coverage

I used the Post Code for the Army Surplus Stores in Sarnau, & it seems to be covered.

I live near Ffostrasol myself.

If you can get 4G, then you can use a dedicated 4G router.

I've described the equipment I use and my setup in this forum thread: http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/mobilebroadband/t/4...

I've been waiting YEARS for an improved broadband connection, and am now hoping that either FTTC or FTTP arrive here during the 2018 - 2020 timeframe - but I don't hold out much hope.

Oh - and if you go the 4G route, the key thing is to get a Data SIM when they are on special offer (EE Data SIMs on a 30-day rolling contract can be sometimes had for around £15 per month for 30Gb or £30 per month [or less] for 60Gb, at certain times - e.g. this now Expired HotUKDeals EE Data SIM - just keep an eye out for them). I load balance my 4G connection with my slow ADSL Max connection, as at least that has unlimited data thanks to PlusNet.

I have 2 VoIP connections (via DrayTEL & VoipFone), both seems to work well via my setup.

Of course, a proper FTTC / FTTP connection (with unlimited data) would be much better - but in the meantime my "hybrid" 4G + ADSL connection gets me by, while waiting in hopeful anticipation for a possible future upgrade!

I know you said you have no mobile signal, so apologies if this information doesn't help you - it depends what mobile network you have tried, in my experience EE is usually best in Ceredigion in many places. Also, where I live I get a very poor mobile signal (& no 4G) indoors on my phone, and limited outside - but the antennae in my TP-Link Archer MR200 4G router are much more sensitive than those in a mobile phone, and can pick up a 4G signal, even though I'm in a marginal signal area - so *maybe* worth a try.

Good Luck anyway - I hope you manage to boost your connection speed soon.

All the best,

Adam.

Edited by AdamInTheSticks (Tue 22-Aug-17 16:35:41)