Why was my pole missed out in FTTP rollout?

About 18 months ago my street in Wallasey had an FTTP build but the pole which feeds my house was not upgraded. So no FTTP for me and my neighbours but fine for the rest of the street. I have tried contacting openreach about it but no reply, even with the 'My neighbour can get FTTP but I can't' approach. The pole in question only has 6 subscriber lines so would that be the reason? Otherwise seems fine (no D notice?) other than some tree branches which could easily be cleared.

Just very frustrating of course. I can get 500Mbs Virginmedia so I have all the speed I need, but it would be nice to have some choice of supplier, higher upload speed and IPV6!

Perhaps you can email MrSaffron (aka Andrew Ferguson) with your details and he may be able to assist in pulling some levers

Have you actually tried ordering a service ?

Just because there is no CBT up the pole doesn’t mean that service cannot be spanned from a different pole, then to your pole, then your property.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Have you actually tried ordering a service ?

Just because there is no CBT up the pole doesn’t mean that service cannot be spanned from a different pole, then to your pole, then your property.

That is what I am finally expecting on Wednesday - 50m from pole with CBT to pole serving me and a further 45m to the house

Good luck 🤞

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Have you actually tried ordering a service ?

Just because there is no CBT up the pole doesn’t mean that service cannot be spanned from a different pole, then to your pole, then your property.

Yes tried several times - no change only 72mbs FTTC available. The nearest pole on the street is blocked by branches (but is that really a problem - I can lend them my clippers!) The nearest pole with a CBT and an unencumbered line of sight to my house is about 100m away so probably too much effort.

Just measured it ... pole to pole is 62m.

Should be interesting to watch ...

I am on similar situation as well. All of the houses in and around my area has been upgraded and available to order except the houses on this particular pole. In fairness it has been marked as 'D' and was supposed to be replaced. However after countless roadwork showing up in onenetwork over several months, the pole hasn't been replaced yet. The last time it was supposed to be replaced was on 15-18th February 2021.

Between I am on Bexley area and postcode is DA161DD

Realj42

you get 500m from virgin and youd like some one to investigate why you cant getFTTP from Openreach so you can have a choice of providers - unbelievable , utterly unbelievable

I think the point the OP is making is that many premises in the street can get FTTP and can also probably get Virgin so why should a few properties be missed out for no obvious reason.
Many places have a choice of suppliers, I didn't know there was a rule against it which you seem to think is OK.

In reply to a post by Fastman3:

Realj42

you get 500m from virgin and youd like some one to investigate why you cant getFTTP from Openreach so you can have a choice of providers - unbelievable , utterly unbelievable

Sorry if my reasoning seem a little trite but this is a significant issue, and I appreciate the question is somewhat indulgent if you are stuck on 10mbs ADSL However there are many reports on this board of FTTP not spots within build areas, and looking around my area I have noticed multiple properties with no direct CBT connection and even a whole street without any access so what's going on? On what basis is OpenReach making these decisions to include or exclude people from access to this vitally important commuications technology? I can never get an answer out of OpenReach hence I am asking here. Is it because I/we have a viable alternative (and much improved since FTTP came to town...), is it a basic access issue and can/will anything be done about or will it be updated in the future. These are reasonable questions and it would be good to get some answers.

Hey - Give [removed by tbb] a message - the Executive Complaints team will have a look into it pretty sharp - They don't like not spots, and if it's a recent thing they'll want it wrapped up ASAP.

I've had an issue at the moment with my CFP and they've got back to me very quickly and have already spoken to a senior planner about the issue and how we can resolve it.

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:45:06)

In reply to a post by realj42:

On what basis is OpenReach making these decisions to include or exclude people from access to this vitally important commuications technology?

Commercial viability, same as always. They have determined that the return on investment is inadequate.

Everyone in my road can get Virgin - except myself and my immediate neighbour (and maybe one other). Take up however is very low and quite a few tried it and dumped it.

FTTP was installed in December last year and CBTs appeared on every pole except the one that serves just these two houses. BT will, I am sure, get a good take up even though most are seeing over 70Mbps and I know of several more who have ordered or will be imminently.

In reply to a post by Fastman3:

Realj42

you get 500m from virgin and youd like some one to investigate why you cant getFTTP from Openreach so you can have a choice of providers - unbelievable , utterly unbelievable

I'm totally confused by this response. There's nothing wrong with wanting to know why you've ended up being excluded from a wider rollout, and the OP has explained the reasoning behind wanting a non-VM option.

What a strange reply, once FTTP is available to us I will look at moving from Virgin Media - have you heard how bad their support is?? Locked into using their modem, lack of choice when it comes to end of contract, need I go on???

In reply to a post by R0NSKI:

What a strange reply, once FTTP is available to us I will look at moving from Virgin Media - have you heard how bad their support is?? Locked into using their modem, lack of choice when it comes to end of contract, need I go on???

I understand where Fastman3 is coming from, there are many others across the UK in a far worse place than the OP as they already have access to 500Mbps VM so to also wanting FTTP is pushing it. Its no different than having millions of starving people around the world and someone here in the UK complaining that they were short changed for one roast potato.

Yes but the OP is on a one pole not spot, surrounded by FTTP, is he not supposed to enquire simply because someone else hasn't got VDSL/Cable/FTTP?

In reply to a post by R0NSKI:

Yes but the OP is on a one pole not spot, surrounded by FTTP, is he not supposed to enquire simply because someone else hasn't got VDSL/Cable/FTTP?

As I said I can understand where Fastman3 was coming from when making his post.

In reply to a post by R0NSKI:

What a strange reply, once FTTP is available to us I will look at moving from Virgin Media - have you heard how bad their support is?? Locked into using their modem, lack of choice when it comes to end of contract, need I go on???

Whilst I have a middle reliability VM service, it is miles better than my friends whom only have FTTC on a long line with 30 / 8 service. I also will move from VM when I have a choice, and only moved to VM because my FTTC was poor upload (40/3). I also have to agree with Fastman3 that those of us with fast services should be later in the queue, but I don't think the commercial planning works like that.

Seems a reasonable ask to me.
Presumably virgin cover the wider area as well, so why would openreach leave out 1 pole? Rather than just dismiss the OPs question how about actually providing some useful information for once.

VM has to be worst ISP ever.
I was with them just over a year, during the pandemic I had more outages in a week than my whole life using ADSL/VDSL. The only reason I went with them was for the 350Mbps download speed which as I cancelled my package they allowed 500mbps/1Gbps in my area.
I gave up on them in the end and paid for two VDSL lines to my house and use a router to load balance between the two, needless to say I have resilience (to a certain degree), better latency, a reliable and stable connection.

I too would be questioning it if everyone else's poles on the street had FTTP and mine didn't.

In reply to a post by Fastman3:

Realj42

you get 500m from virgin and youd like some one to investigate why you cant getFTTP from Openreach so you can have a choice of providers - unbelievable , utterly unbelievable

I think it is a valid question to ask. On FTTP rollouts why don't network makers finish the whole street off? The only possible vague reason I can think of might be if some houses are being fed overhead while others are fed underground. I can see that halting things, unless it was planned in to the work.

The whole FTTP rollout is a frustrating experience;

1. We're not sure when an area will come in to scope.

2. When an area comes in to scope does it include our property?

3. How long will it take for work to begin?

4. How long after work as started will be get a live connection?

As i've said, i think the best course of action is for the OP to contact the exec complaints team of openreach - [removed by tbb], they will be able to look into this and you'll get a speedy reply.

It sounds like it's a D Pole waiting for replacement if they haven't placed a CBT on it and they've forgotten about it, or the OP would be served by a different DP and this hasn't been updated in OR's records. Either way, the Infrastructure Solutions guys will sort it.

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:44:25)

Thanks for the contact details but just getting no-response from that email address - ie the email can't be delivered -"The recipient server did not accept our requests to connect." . Typical OpenReach just ignoring me as usual!

There are two mistakes in the email address try: [removed by tbb]

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:44:33)

Perhaps there was some confusion, as their .co.uk domain always resolves to .com for any web queries. External emails though clearly are .co.uk.

What was the second mistake though, the spelling looked correct?

I've always found https://www.ceoemail.com/ an excellent resource for tracking down contact details when I wish to escalate things.

👍 indeed. A great resource.

Well that fixed it good and proper. Emailed the correct address, got a pleasant reply and Clive forwarded it to a tech contact. He replied that they were planning to put CBT on my Pole (yea!) but not sure when and would check with local Build Manager. Heard nothing more but when looking outside my window today they were actually wiring up a CBT on my pole- awesome!

Now just need to wait for the database update and get on with an order - good stuff and thanks for the help.

In reply to a post by realj42:

Well that fixed it good and proper. Emailed the correct address, got a pleasant reply and Clive forwarded it to a tech contact. He replied that they were planning to put CBT on my Pole (yea!) but not sure when and would check with local Build Manager. Heard nothing more but when looking outside my window today they were actually wiring up a CBT on my pole- awesome!

Now just need to wait for the database update and get on with an order - good stuff and thanks for the help.

Where do I send my invoice for "accurate advice"?

Result 👍

In reply to a post by MHC:

Where do I send my invoice for "accurate advice"?

Thanks!

Great news! Now expect to wait weeks...

In reply to a post by Grimers:

Great news! Now expect to wait weeks...

Nope - Zen 900Mbs installation booked for May 10th! That is if VirginMedia don't find a way to sabbotage it as they have been desparate to keep me once I actually cancelled my VM line!

Jeez, how quick did FTTP go live after the CBT was installed?!

BT do seem a bit sporadic on their approach, my exchange they seem to have done a scatter gun effect over the last two months, the pole outside my house still sits there with CBT (No blue string though) mocking me

The only change I have noticed on the wholesale checker is the exchange is still saying NOT part of FTTP rollout (Which is rubbish as multiple addresses that use it now have FTTP) but on the featured products it now says downstream of 1000 instead of the 330 it used to

BT Checker:

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Handback
Threshold(Mbps) WBC FTTC Availability Date WBC SOGEA Availability Date
High Low High Low
VDSL Range A (Clean) 75.2 54 20 14.6 47.7 Available Available
VDSL Range B (Impacted) 73.7 49 20 13 40 Available Available
Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range (Mbps) Availability Date FTTP Install Process
FTTP on Demand 1000 220 -- Available --
ADSL Products Downstream Line Rate (Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range(Mbps) Availability Date
WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 3 -- 2.5 to 6.5 Available
WBC ADSL2+ Annex M Up to 3 Up to 0.5 2.5 to 6.5 Available
ADSL Max Up to 3 -- 2 to 5.5 Available
WBC Fixed Rate 1 -- -- Available
Fixed Rate 1 -- -- Available
Other Offerings Availability Date
VDSL Multicast Available
ADSL Multicast Available
Exchange Product Restrictions Status
FTTP Priority Exchange N
WLR Withdrawal N
SOADSL Restriction Y
The premise/line is associated with exchange which is NOT part of current fibre priority programme.

The premise/line is associated with exchange where WLR is not withdrawn.

The premise/line is associated with exchange where SOADSL service is restricted.

FTTP is not available.

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.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

Edited by deleted (Wed 28-Apr-21 09:40:09)

FTTPoD changing from 330/50 to 1000/220 is an indication of a database update having taken place, and several people have reported that a few days later it then changes to WBC FTTP available. So fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed, been following the rollout since it was announced over a year ago and being at home all the time I am obsessing over it

In reply to a post by Grimers:

Jeez, how quick did FTTP go live after the CBT was installed?!

The next morning! Remember this was just as extension of a live build, so not subject to the usual new build delays.

Weirdly some ISPs were not showing the full speed initially - Zen initially showed only 300mbs available, but BT and Vodafone showed the full speed available to order straight away. Zen only showed the full speed available the day after.

Your high FTTC speeds may be part of the reason for a delay in deployment - it was mentioned in my case though there are plenty of other houses with similar speeds near me which did get FTTP originally. If nothing further happens with your pole then a quick email to Clive Selley ([removed by tbb]) emphasizing that you are keen to order the full FTTP may get things moving.

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:58:48)

That's the cabinet speed, I am a long way from it, on a good day I can get 32mb, right now about 16, can be challenging as a home worker

Done that, was very impressed with speed of response from his team, I am now waiting for the regional infrastructure dude to give me an update

Edited by deleted (Wed 28-Apr-21 11:37:08)

Yup the guy (and team) is a star!

Oh, fair enough! Enjoy!

Not too sure why you replied to my post from over a month ago, however what do you mean by "that is the cabinet speed"? That is not what the checker shows. The cabinet speed is up to 80Mbps down and 20Mbps up and what you get at your home is dependent on the line length.

Is the BT checker information in your post for your telephone number or address? If it is you should get speeds within the ranges shown. I would always expect speeds near the top of the clean range, certainly above 70Mbps in your case. If you only get 32Mbps something is very wrong with your service and there is no way your speed should vary by such a large amount. Get onto your ISP and tell them to sort it out.

I am several hundred metres from the cabinet I am connected to (God knows why as there are others much closer), lived here 12 years and had FTCC for about 9, highest it ever reached was 36mb.

If the FTTP dude responds with tough you will be waiting many months/years I'll kick off about my FTTC, otherwise I'll have to be patient, pre this I lived down a country lane in Hertfordshire, best I got out of that was 256K

You haven't answered the question, are the checker results for your property?

I am several hundred metres from the cabinet, around 450 - 500 and get full speeds of 80/20Mbps.

Oh yes, sorry

Its,postcode and house number based, have no idea what my phone number is and it isnt BT, it's Sky, not used landline in many years

Ok full fibre showed up on BT Wholesale and I have ordered 300MB service with engineer showing up on the 17th, many thanks all for advice and assistance, I suspect ultimately the email to Clive helped a lot as nothing was happening then within a week its go go go

Just joined to add my thanks to the poster of the email upthread. All streets around me have fttp capability, but not my street. Even the house opposite my street entrance can get it.

The openreach fibre checker was telling me no plans, but recently started saying "good news, there are plans...".

I emailed last night asking if the issue was technical or was I just in a missed spot. Very pleasantly surprised to get an email this morning assuring me that someone would contact me, and indeed had a good phonecall today. The lady agreed that everywhere around me was fttp. She also clearly has more info as she said my street was in "the very early stages" of being enabled. She had attempted to contact the local area roll out manager to get a direct update, but hes off today. Shes committed to come back to me before end of Thurs.

So might not get fantastic news, however a brilliant personal and rapid response which was surprising in this world where you can spend 30 mins trying to get a basic issue resolved by BT or the like.

I'll update when I get more info.