FTTP just enabled - but what are the options?

The poles on my street have been upgraded with FTTP connection about 10 days ago. Today I have checked wholesale website and FTTPoD has been changed to WBC FTTP but still 330/50 as the maximum connection speed.

I then went to different providers to check what maximum speed is available and the results are completely different:
BT - 150
Talktalk - 150
Giganet - 200
Zen - 300
Sky - 500
Vodafone - not available

Why would it be? Can I really get up to 500 with Sky even though the checker says 330? And why BT would not be offering even 300? Could it be because of recent database update which might not have propagated properly everywhere? Could I still expect the actual product available to be 1000/220 or its going to stay as 330? Thanks.

P.S. At the bottom checked says:
"Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.
FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered."

Database update / lag is all (probably). Go ahead and place an order.

Tried calling BT CS as an existing customer and they don't have full fibre option at all yet on their system for me...

In reply to a post by someuser08:

I then went to different providers to check what maximum speed is available and the results are completely different:
...
Why would it be?

Different providers have different cablelink capacities in different head-end exchanges. Some have no cablelink at all in a given exchange, so are unable to serve that area. In some cases they may have exclusivity arrangements with other providers, so they choose not to use Openreach FTTP in a certain area for commercial reasons.

The Openreach service will have a maximum of 1000/220 regardless, unless you're in one of the tiny minority of properties which is served by an ECI OLT which are limited to 330/50. (Last I heard that was 50K properties or less than 1%, and is very unlikely to be used for any new rollout)

In reply to a post by someuser08:

Can I really get up to 500 with Sky even though the checker says 330?

If you want it, and they say you can have it, then place your order

Keep trying them. They will do at some point fairly soon.

Yeah, I think I will wait a week and see what happens.

My brother was the same as BTw checker say at first 330/50 FTTP then changed to 1000/110 few month later and again changed to 1000/220. My brother been wait for two months before go ahead with BT finally accepted his house can do 1000/110.

His throughput speed are actually 920/110 with BT. He is happy afterall, ditched Virgin Media.

Edited by adslmax (Thu 23-Sep-21 13:45:43)

In reply to a post by adslmax:

My brother was the same as BTw checker say at first 330/50 FTTP then changed to 1000/110 few month later and again changed to 1000/220.

I don't think I've ever seen the checker state 1000/110.

Seems a very odd figure.
1000/110 isn't even an option (it's 1000/115).

Yes you are right. I need specsaver glasses on.

In reply to a post by someuser08:

Why would it be? Can I really get up to 500 with Sky even though the checker says 330?

Sky often do this, when the reality they can't supply a service at that speed for the following reason.

When new areas are being deployed, it's often not unusual for the maximum speed to be 330Mbps for a few weeks, before it changes to 1000Mbps. Our conversations with OR and BTW highlight they are doing this as part of first movers network management process. Once things settle and the first floods of orders have completed, checkers start to update.

We personally pick up a lot of orders from Sky as a result of them promising what they can't sell and people getting annoyed and look elsewhere.

Ref: 330 v 300, it's purely ISPs just marketing products with whole numbers that mr/mrs public tend to find easier to get head arounds.

PS: There is a tiny exception that early ECI based network builds are often limited to 330.

In reply to a post by aquiss:

Sky often do this, when the reality they can't supply a service at that speed for the following reason.

When new areas are being deployed, it's often not unusual for the maximum speed to be 330Mbps for a few weeks, before it changes to 1000Mbps. Our conversations with OR and BTW highlight they are doing this as part of first movers network management process. Once things settle and the first floods of orders have completed, checkers start to update.

Thanks, so I should pick up 300 product for now or wait until the checker is updated to high speed and not not bother with high speed upgrades until then? I think I'd be happy with 300 with BT if only they could offer it... So far its still not available, which is weird...

In reply to a post by someuser08:

In reply to a post by aquiss:

Sky often do this, when the reality they can't supply a service at that speed for the following reason.

When new areas are being deployed, it's often not unusual for the maximum speed to be 330Mbps for a few weeks, before it changes to 1000Mbps. Our conversations with OR and BTW highlight they are doing this as part of first movers network management process. Once things settle and the first floods of orders have completed, checkers start to update.

Thanks, so I should pick up 300 product for now or wait until the checker is updated to high speed and not not bother with high speed upgrades until then? I think I'd be happy with 300 with BT if only they could offer it... So far its still not available, which is weird...

Its extremely difficult for anyone to answer this question, other than yourself as you're the one using it and paying the bill. However saying that unless you are an extreme user I think 330/50 is a pretty decent tier, and probably in the mid-point/sweet spot pricing wise.

Yeah, I think I will go for 330 if I can find it. BT is still not allowing me to order it - will wait a bit more and can still go to Sky fully knowing that I will not get their 500 for the time being.

I do wonder though - will sky port my landline number to VOIP or that will be new?

In reply to a post by someuser08:

I do wonder though - will sky port my landline number to VOIP or that will be new?

You can do either: port your number to Sky (who'll provide it on the VOIP port on their router), or just take an entirely new service from Sky - in which case you'll still be paying for FTTC and/or voice with your current provider. In the latter case, you can then transfer your phone number to a 3rd party VOIP provider of your choice, and this will automatically trigger a cease of the phone line and attached FTTC.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

You can do either: port your number to Sky (who'll provide it on the VOIP port on their router), or just take an entirely new service from Sky - in which case you'll still be paying for FTTC and/or voice with your current provider. In the latter case, you can then transfer your phone number to a 3rd party VOIP provider of your choice, and this will automatically trigger a cease of the phone line and attached FTTC.

Thanks, I've read up on this VOIP situation and it seems to be a real pain in migrating providers after you got VOIP with them (as line numbers no longer recognised by BT checkers etc), so the most simple way is to just go FTTP without voice at all and move existing PSTN number to third party VOIP provider. I just need to get the sequence right: order new FTTP, wait for go live, move to VOIP? Will this also trigger existing FTTC broadband cease or I need to cancel that manually (and end up paying one month for both broadband services)?

In reply to a post by someuser08:

I just need to get the sequence right: order new FTTP, wait for go live, move to VOIP?

Yes.

In reply to a post by someuser08:

Will this also trigger existing FTTC broadband cease

Yes.

If you're before end-of-contract then you'll end up paying some sort of early termination penalty; and a few providers also charge cease fees of around £30 (that is, if you're ceasing FTTC rather than transferring to another provider). It's unlikely to apply to you, but if it does, just take the hit and move on.

Just an update to this. Apparently BT stopped marketing 300 product and just have 150, 500 and 900mpbs ones. That is why the 300 speed was not shown for me. Also for some reason their systems were so messed up that they could not upgrade me, but were able to order me fresh FTTP install with 300 speed. I wanted that all along anyway.

The installation is tomorrow and I was checking wholesale checker again and it's been updated from 330 to 1000, yay. Too late to change the order though, so I will let it complete and the ask to upgrade to 500 (seems to be the same price as 300 that I will be paying).