How to find out if an FTTC cabinet is full?

I understand the issue of FTTC cabinets being full / at capacity.

However this is not an issue I've (yet) come across myself. How do you tell if a cabinet is full?

I'm guessing information might be gleaned via BTW's Broadband Availability Checker - if so, how does it show up?

Also. is there any way of looking up if an FTTC cabinet is nearing capacity?

This is regarding a potential house move, and I've only got an address to go on.

Edited by binary (Tue 31-Aug-21 00:05:58)

When it’s at capacity / full, the wholesale checker shows “waiting list” against the lines for VDSL section for the address or line. If it does not then you should be OK to place an order successfully.

When I last saw this, it only showed "waiting list" if I used the *address checker* option.

When using the *phone number* checker, because I already had VDSL, then it just showed it as available. (This may be of concern if you are considering migrating to another ISP and are worried you might lose your service)

If you don't already have VDSL, then I'm not sure what the phone number checker will show you.

Presumably as the OP says:

In reply to a post by binary:

This is regarding a potential house move, and I've only got an address to go on.

Then using the address checker (as that's all the info he has) should show whether the cab is full or not.

Indeed.

As for "nearing capacity" there's no direct check. It's possible that there is capacity at the time you check (because someone has just ceased a service) but will be snapped up shortly.

What might be worth doing is to look for the cabinet on codelook and see if it's scheduled for expansion. Of course, once it's expanded you're fine, but it may give a hint that you have to do without for a while.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Indeed.

As for "nearing capacity" there's no direct check. It's possible that there is capacity at the time you check (because someone has just ceased a service) but will be snapped up shortly.

What might be worth doing is to look for the cabinet on codelook and see if it's scheduled for expansion. Of course, once it's expanded you're fine, but it may give a hint that you have to do without for a while.

I would just say to the OP, if FTTC looks to be available, then as soon as they are confident of the property purchase / property move proceeding, then to place an order for a broadband service with their provider of choice ASAP

Edited by Pheasant (Mon 30-Aug-21 20:52:39)

Definitely DON'T do that without the property owner's permission.

Most VDSL services are bundled with PSTN these days, and there will be huge data protection problems if they use the phone - e.g. you'll see what phone numbers they are calling. You'll end up paying for those calls too

It will show "waiting list" usually and if you see this then you won't be able to order the service until it becomes available again.

Also further clues such as highest and lowest broadband speed estimates will be an indicator if there is crosstalk.

If speed availability is high usually there is no crosstalk issues so less customers.

Also checking other broadband Altnet FTTP or Virgin Media availability would give clues as to how many customers are using FTTC. If there is no VM or Altnet/Openreach FTTP and FTTC is the only choice, capacity filling is more likely to occur.

You have to check the post code before moving house. It's very unlikely to go full right after your house move.

Just ask here.

If it is done without the owners permission then the owner will receive a letter saying a request has been placed and they have 10 days to cancel it. If they cancel it then the order will disappear - so as you say getting owners permission is vital.