New connection options in lockdown

I am buying a house and it will be completed in mid-June. I have tried to delay it but ultimately I want to proceed and don't want to wait for the rest of this year.

I am a key worker but can work from home so do, connecting using a VPN to a local Manchester-based corporate data centre. So I need a connection in the new place. It is currently unoccupied as the occupant passed away and her family are selling it. When I viewed, I noticed a BT router, but there is no ONT in the property.

There is no FTTC available at all. There is standard ADSL2 (6-12Mbps) or FTTP. Virgin Media is also available. I called BT about FTTP before COVID and was informed that the property was definitely OK for FTTP but there is no current ONT and so an engineer visit is required. I understand that OR is not doing this currently.

Re mobile coverage, Vodafone and O2 are OK. EE and three are very poor in the area, outdoor 4G only.

I think that the latest ISP was BT (ADSL2) due the BT Hub being there, not sure how important this is.

My preferred option is 900Mbps FTTP, but due to COVID, think my options are :-

- take out a 30 day rolling contract with a standard ADSL provider until FTTP install becomes viable. This is very low speed though
- take out a 12 month contract with Virgin Media - and when it ends, move over to FTTP
- perhaps consider 4G on a 30 day rolling contract, until a FTTP install becomes viable.

Do we have any idea when OR will be able to install new FTTP ?

In reply to a post by Exharris:

Do we have any idea when OR will be able to install new FTTP ?

Unless there is a cable point already in the building, I would expect the same issues with Virgin Media doing a new install / drilling a hole, passing a cable through and terminating.

Explain to OR that you are a key worker and you need the line to be able to work.

When they come to do the installation the best thing to do to respect their distancing is to not be in the same room as them.

My company are also key workers (feeding the nation) and I have had OR visits to several of my team over the last few weeks.

Virgin seem to be ploughing on regardless of key worker status.

Needs to come from the retailer, i.e. OR cannot action an install until an order has been placed, or the retailer contacts them to place a key worker order.

So its phone time rather than online order

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by Exharris:

Do we have any idea when OR will be able to install new FTTP ?

Unless there is a cable point already in the building, I would expect the same issues with Virgin Media doing a new install / drilling a hole, passing a cable through and terminating.

Openreach have taken the decision not to enter customers premises to install FTTP at this time.

Virgin have no such policy and are still doing installs inside customer premises.
I watched them install my neighbours line yesterday (despite it being on a bank holiday).
I'm in a new Project Lightning area with Virgin FTTP.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

Virgin have no such policy and are still doing installs inside customer premises.
I watched them install my neighbours line yesterday (despite it being on a bank holiday).
I'm in a new Project Lightning area with Virgin FTTP.

Great!

Openreach have taken the decision not to enter customers premises to install FTTP at this time.

This may not affect the OP though as that limitation is due to be removed on 1st June and they are due to complete mid-June.

Currently you can book new install tasks from 1st June onwards.

Matt

I'm unsure whether you say you're completing in mid-June, or whether the house itself will be completed in mid-June. If it's a new build with FTTP then the ONT will almost certainly be installed by Openreach as part of the build programme.

Exharris.

Get OR to complete the Install BEFORE you move in, If the house is empty the ISP should be able to raise a keyworker order with empty premises in the notes. Someone will have to let them in but they will do the install.

May mean paying a week of extra rental but solves all the issues.

If you depend on the Internet, maybe put in 2 orders: ADSL and VirginMedia

My wife is a key worker from home, and the dual Internet setup we have was invaluable during the recent Virgin Media issues.