No choice other than BT on FTTP?

I've spoken/overheard people say this a few times recently. Typically they have moved into a new build and claim that they have no choice of provider other than BT. Surely this isn't true? They have to use a service provided over openreach infrastructure but there are several alternative providers available.

If this is a common false impression that people are getting I don't think Ofcom would be too amused.

The number of FTTP providers is much smaller than offering FTTC, so whilst its not true that its only BT offering it, they are the biggest name offering it.

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/packages/fibre-broadband

Under "advanced filters" you can limit technology to just FTTP. There is much less choice than FTTC, but there certainly is some. Sky are rumoured to be launching FTTP soon.

only recently since the ultrafast launch have other ISPs started to price-match BT on FTTP, before there was really no competitor with infinity 3/4 so it makes sense people not keeping tabs on the industry arn't aware.

i know zen will provide an arguably better service with a static IP and 6month less contract on 150/330mb, and the rumour sky will be offering ultrafast by the end of the year is still going around.

In terms of household (as in seen a TV advert) it is just BT but if you look there are more

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/packages/fttp-broadband

This is Openreach FTTP based packages, i.e. question asked enough we set up a short cut link

In reply to a post by Andrue:

Typically they have moved into a new build and claim that they have no choice of provider other than BT.

This misinformation will most likely be down to the developer telling their customers that BT is their only option on FTTP. Openreach may need to educate developers better by making it very clear that there is a choice of ISPs available on their FTTP platform, by including it in the builders pack/handbook.

Openreach keeps this updated with consumer and commercial providers that offer services over their network:

http://openreach.com/fibre-broadband/fttp-providers

I shared this with my development's residents group when folks started to complain they were locked-in to BT. A number since moved over to Zen and AAISP, others are waiting for Sky to launch their Openreach-backed FTTP service. Personally I'm very happy with BT Retail, but a choice is good.

Post deleted by MrSaffron

Edited by deleted (Fri 12-Jul-19 11:32:41)

What's that link for? Spam?

No question that it is considered spam

If it's anything like the new estates next to me with FTTP, the initial owners were tied into a 2 or 3 year contact from first activation with BT. Once that time is over, BT allowed them to switch to any ISP that would support them, but in this area that's just BT for now so it's a moot point.

I thought 3 year contracts were illegal for residential broadband users? Unless some users chose BT Business instead?

Edited by deleted (Mon 15-Jul-19 14:03:46)

I wasn't aware that BT did this, sounds very odd given the fibres are from Openreach and I didn't think that BT had any different access to Openreach than any other ISP. However I'm aware that a number of developers contract with smaller operators such as See the Light to provide FTTP resulting in tie ins and not necessarily just for broadband but can also include electricity.

They are

I'm interested in investigating this more, since Ofcom rules mean BT would not be allowed to do this.

People should have a choice of signing up to a retail provider, off course once you've done that you may be in an 18 or 24 month contract, so its possible there is some confusion.

Pretty certain that no customer is forced to go with BT Retail on the Openreach FTTP platform, even on new build estates. I imagine what regularly happens is that the developer simply tells the house buyers that "BT" is the only provider available, ie they have got BT/Openreach mixed up - and the customer treats this as gospel without doing any research themselves.

Edited by deleted (Mon 15-Jul-19 14:20:31)

In reply to a post by MCM:

I wasn't aware that BT did this, sounds very odd given the fibres are from Openreach and I didn't think that BT had any different access to Openreach than any other ISP.

Lots of ISPs choose not to sell the FTTP product, since (today) it represents such a tiny proportion of the reachable user base, and requires significant investment in systems, processes and training.

What's odd is the assertion that there is no choice apart from BT *in this particular area*. Maybe it's a Market A area?

Is any Openreach FTTP "Market A"? The local exchange may well be Market A but I would have thought that most if not all head end exchanges were Market B and would have hoped that if that were the case then Zen, AAISP, IDNet, Cerberus and other ISPs using the Openreach FTTP platform would be available.

Completely agree BF

For the vast user base they consider ISPs from mass market providers e.g. BT PlusNet Sky TalkTalk etc. e.g. AAISP is not an ISP the majority of people are drawn towards, hence considering the mass market listing AFAIK it's BT and/or recently EE. The advice is a little misleading but for the majority who will check only mass market ISPs, until recently BT has been the only mass market option.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Mon 15-Jul-19 15:31:51)

In reply to a post by MCM:

Is any Openreach FTTP "Market A"? The local exchange may well be Market A but I would have thought that most if not all head end exchanges were Market B and would have hoped that if that were the case then Zen, AAISP, IDNet, Cerberus and other ISPs using the Openreach FTTP platform would be available.

Cerberus charges an extra £60 per month for 330/50 FTTP on Market A exchanges.

So it may be available, but so expensive as to make BT the only viable alternative.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Maybe it's a Market A area?

Has the increased costs with Market A exchanges actually helped to improve the broadband speeds and availability, from the outside it looks as if the BDUK builds have done more than what ofcom proposed. One could argue that some of the money from the BDUK came from the price premium but then shouldn't bduk continue year upon year ?

In reply to a post by MCM:

Is any Openreach FTTP "Market A"?

If you mean "is there any market A exchanges with fttp" then, yes there is, the New Forest has quite a few exchanges with fttp, more to come once issues have been sorted (differeing delay depending who you talk to). Wayleaves seem to be the issue hold ups.

In reply to a post by Taras:

In reply to a post by MCM:

Is any Openreach FTTP "Market A"?

If you mean "is there any market A exchanges with fttp" then, yes there is, the New Forest has quite a few exchanges with fttp, more to come once issues have been sorted (differeing delay depending who you talk to). Wayleaves seem to be the issue hold ups.

@Taras
Do you mean they are fibre head-end exchanges please, or simply that their areas are covered for fibre from elsewhere?

Cerberus charges an extra £60 per month for 330/50 FTTP on Market A exchanges.

So what is the justification for that? It doesn't cost them more does it?

BTW I'm on an exchange that is Market A for ADSL2+, but seems to be Market B for FTTC (and Plusnet now treat it as a Market B even for ADSL2+) - FTTP isn't available - so I'm a bit confused about what the markets mean wrt FTTP.