Openreach could not install FTTP today because of a tree.

Hi all,

FTTP became available recently and I ordered the 900mbps service through BT the day it did. The engineer turned up today (an Openreach chap not a contractor) but couldn't do the work because the pole with the fibre is in a tree.

Not sure exactly how the pole was connected to the network in the first place but presumably with a hoist which of course, our engineer did not have.

He said he is going to complete an application requesting an Openreach tree surgeon to do what is needed so that a hoist can be arranged for my fibre install (it is also on a shared pole with the electric so a ladder is out of the question anyway).

Anyone have experience with this kind of situation? How long is it likely to take Openreach to progress my FTTP install and do you think there will be additional costs for me? The engineer did complete all the internal work today, so I have the ONT connected up to a customer service point on the outside of the house. Just need the fibre run down from the pole to connect it all together

Cheers.

That's pretty stupid. Surely they can cut the tree down!

In reply to a post by adslmax:

That's pretty stupid. Surely they can cut the tree down!

Ha, if only life was ever that simple.

It may be of little consolation, but the good news is, in theory you should be entitled to compensation for each day they are unable to connect you (£5.04 per day).

See here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-interne...

A similar-ish situation from June...

https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/fibre/t/4685262-fi...

As I live in a village I have noticed that the fibre on the surrounding country lanes goes through trees with no problems at all, some of the new spans of fibre rubs on the branches and I can think of one tree the fibre is entwined within the branches.

Yes the unprotected fibre is very brittle, But the fibre cable is tough very tough (the contractors doing the first install gave me a selection of various off-cuts )

You should not have any problems and no extra costs, let them deal with it.

What a ill considered answer Max, the tree doesn’t belong to Openreach, and nor does the pole. Some trees even have preservation orders on them, you can’t just hack them about Willy nilly.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I will update the thread when any progress is made, maybe it will guide others in future who find themselves in a similar situation. If I remember, tomorrow I will post an image of the tree / pole so you can see what we're dealing with.

Good afternoon all.

For those interested, here is an image of the pole / tree in question.

Tree and Pole Image

As far as I can tell, the pole itself does not contain any actual connections, it is simply a support pole for the cable which connects to a manifold on the next pole down.

What's interesting to me, is that the fibre infrastructure has only been installed on my road during the last month or so, and the contractors were able to feed the fibre cable between the poles (including this tree pole) using a hoist without issue and they just worked around the branches.

I have also spoken to my ISP (BT) who have told me that as of right now, the engineers have not added their notes. However the chap I spoke with was very friendly and has said since it is an open order it will be a priority. He said the order should be complete by next week but I have some doubts about that

Anyway, BT gonna call me again on Saturday with an update.

Who owns the tree? You, neighbour, council?

Are there any TPOs or conservation areas? They could make it awkward.