FTTP - Installed Early, questions

Hey all,

I recently placed an order from BT for FTTP as after 6+ years they've finally enabled it for our area.

Order was placed last week and this Monday the Engineers came around and ran the new cabling and I went out to them and they offered to install the ONT unit into my house, and of course I said yes - as I knew this wouldn't be a thing they could normally do until Activation Day.

Activation Day however, is the 4th and as the equipment is all already installed I was wondering if there's anything that can be done to make the activation any quicker than this?

Safest bet is to not confuse systems e.g. attempts by retailers to get things moved up have a good probability of causing problems, so best to leave things to play out as already arranged.

Waiting is annoying I know.

Funnily enough I'm not too bothered about the waiting, the engineers did let me know on Monday that I might get a call from them this week (though, doubtful now) that they'd be able to activate the PON.

Just a shame really - apparently there's a way around it where you can cancel the order with BT and get it re-ordered and it'lll be like activation next day kinda thing because the equipment is already installed.

The thing is that the dslchecker for my area shows:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:- Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG Feed Not Evaluated.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

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

This line is on a Market B Exchange.

There are multiple orders open on your line which are due to complete by 04-Dec-2018.

For VDSL or G.fast 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.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

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-Dec-2012; the Formal Retirement date for IPstream is from 30-Jun-2014.

There is currently a Broadband cease pending or in progress against this line. This cease is due to complete by 4th December 2018. This will not stop you ordering Broadband from a new supplier, but it will delay the provision of the new Broadband service.

Please note that postcode and address check results are indicative only. Most accurate results can be obtained from a telephone number, NAD, UPRN or Access Line ID (ALID) check.
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.

Thank you for your interest.

So I don't think it's even picked up that there's a ONT installed yet.

As Mr S says, best to sit tight & let things take their course. On the day of activation an an Engineer will probably visit your home & activate the ONT by scanning its barcode with his smartphone. Only takes a minute or two. Actually mine took less than 30 seconds

Edited by deleted (Fri 23-Nov-18 12:55:30)

So the PON light isn�t lit on ONTE they have fitted ? Not really a lot that can be done without a LOT of faffing about.

Take Mr.S�s advice, wait for the 4th.

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

As Mr S says, best to sit tight & let things take their course. On the day of activation an an Engineer will probably visit your home & activate the ONT by scanning its barcode with his smartphone. Only takes a minute or two. Actually mine took less than 30 seconds

I believe the one-two minutes applies to the copper lines, not fibre. Fibre afaik only takes a few seconds so that's pretty cool.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So the PON light isn�t lit on ONTE they have fitted ? Not really a lot that can be done without a LOT of faffing about.

Take Mr.S�s advice, wait for the 4th.

The light on PON is currently just flashing. As far as I know that'll stop once it's been scanned with the phone? Not too sure.

I believe you may be confusing ONT activation with something else.

Yep. If the boys have done it all correctly.

In reply to a post by cainkilgorecom:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So the PON light isn�t lit on ONTE they have fitted ? Not really a lot that can be done without a LOT of faffing about.

Take Mr.S�s advice, wait for the 4th.

The light on PON is currently just flashing. As far as I know that'll stop once it's been scanned with the phone? Not too sure.

In that case, yes your ONT needs to be activated after which the pon light will turn solid green. Mine was flashing for ~ 3 weeks before being activated so I know how frustrating it can be. The wait will be worth it

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

In reply to a post by cainkilgorecom:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So the PON light isn�t lit on ONTE they have fitted ? Not really a lot that can be done without a LOT of faffing about.

Take Mr.S�s advice, wait for the 4th.

The light on PON is currently just flashing. As far as I know that'll stop once it's been scanned with the phone? Not too sure.

In that case, yes your ONT needs to be activated after which the pon light will turn solid green. Mine was flashing for ~ 3 weeks before being activated so I know how frustrating it can be. The wait will be worth it

Damn, that's literally so frustrating as it's literally just a Serial Number! Ah well, guess i'll have to stick it out

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

As Mr S says, best to sit tight & let things take their course. On the day of activation an an Engineer will probably visit your home & activate the ONT by scanning its barcode with his smartphone. Only takes a minute or two. Actually mine took less than 30 seconds

Off topic, but does the barcode then get transmitted to base after which the ONT is activated? If so, what happens if there is no mobile signal at the location of the ONT?

Edited by GonePostal (Fri 23-Nov-18 18:15:35)

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Off topic, but does the barcode then get transmitted to base after which the ONT is activated? If so, what happens if there is no mobile signal at the location of the ONT?

Yep the barcode contains the ONT's serial # which gets registered in the Openreach database/network.

I guess if the ONT can't be activated on site (eg no cellular signal), the Engineer must make a note of the serial # and/or take a snapshot of the barcode and do the activation bit once back at the office.

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Off topic, but does the barcode then get transmitted to base after which the ONT is activated? If so, what happens if there is no mobile signal at the location of the ONT?

Yep the barcode contains the ONT's serial # which gets registered in the Openreach database/network.

I guess if the ONT can't be activated on site (eg no cellular signal), the Engineer must make a note of the serial # and/or take a snapshot of the barcode and do the activation bit once back at the office.

^ See what last part is what I assumed what would happen with the Engineers that came on Monday.

In reply to a post by cainkilgorecom:

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Off topic, but does the barcode then get transmitted to base after which the ONT is activated? If so, what happens if there is no mobile signal at the location of the ONT?

Yep the barcode contains the ONT's serial # which gets registered in the Openreach database/network.

I guess if the ONT can't be activated on site (eg no cellular signal), the Engineer must make a note of the serial # and/or take a snapshot of the barcode and do the activation bit once back at the office.

^ See what last part is what I assumed what would happen with the Engineers that came on Monday.

AFAIK the ONT can only be activated once Openreach/BT Wholesale have finished testing the FTTP circuit. At least thats what my CP told me when I was waiting for it to be activated. Need to be patient

It doesn't need a mobile signal, there are other ways to activate the ONT.
If there was absolutely no connectivity the engineer would need to go somewhere they can access the internet with their smart phone or call the DCoE.

It's not something that will happen a lot. A walk outside or driving 50m up the road gets round that.

Maybe you might ask to use the customers existing WiFi

Or you drive until you have a couple of bars. Needs must.

But the way contact to the DCoE has changed you are supposed request a call back via the app .... which needs the t�interweb.

It does seem to happen a fair bit to be honest.

The app will scan and populate the ONT serial, and hang on until told to activate.

You need to carry out before finishing the job, to ensure it rocks and rolls.

Your activation seemed somewhat unusual/troubled BF.

Most are a much simpler affair.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Your activation seemed somewhat unusual/troubled BF.

Most are a much simpler affair.

I think I was to partially 'blame' for that lol

I had a 2 stage install, where visit 1 was supposed to be fibre blown to the external CSP and visit 2 was internal wiring and installation of ONT. However when the Engineer came to blow the fibre on his first visit, i politely asked him to also do the internal wiring & fit the ONT at the same time. He was happy to oblige but he did make it clear that the service wouldn't be going live anytime soon. Hence why there was a gap of 3-4 weeks between having the ONT fitted and circuit going live.

Edited by deleted (Fri 23-Nov-18 20:55:39)

Partially to blame ?

Hmmmmm, more like entirely .... [casts eyes upwards]