FTTP Cable route

Just after some opinions or stories if anyone's had a similar situation...

After 8ish months of waiting I was finally able to order FTTP yesterday - just in time for Black Friday deals!

When ordering I was advised there would be 2 visits from OR - 1 to survey and 1 to actually install it. The BTw checker has "KCI2 Assure" under the Install Process and "Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG Pre built to curtilage Hard" under the information.

The BT manhole is in the pavement at the end of my driveway at the front of my house and the existing copper runs underground from there to the front wall of my house.

Is it likely they'll suggest my drive needs to be dug up? What a realistic outcome for how they'd run the cable?

Well, that's why they've marked it as needing a survey

If the copper runs inside a duct, then they'll pull a cable through that if possible. You'll normally see where the duct leaves the ground at the front wall of your house. By "if possible", I mean that they'll attempt to rod-and-rope it, and clear any blockages; but sometimes blockages refuse to be cleared, or ducts are damaged beyond use.

If the duct is unusable, or if it's a directly-buried cable ("DIG" = "Direct In Ground"), they'll have to find some other way to run the fibre cable. Digging up your driveway would be very expensive, and they're unlikely to volunteer to do that unless there's no other good alternative.

They will be replacing my direct dig copper cable with a pole on edge of property and an overhead cable from pole to house. Means I got to chose where the cable comes into the house.

We're in an unadopted close off a main road and there aren't any poles near us - having this 1 solitary pole may not be an option

Obviously I don't want my drive dug up but I'm open to their suggestions. This'll be interesting if nothing else!

If this unadopted close is recently built, there's a good chance that it will have ducts and they'll be in good condition.

Delivering FTTP over poles is common where the copper is DIG. If you're the first person to order, then that may trigger the pole being installed.

The surveyor will choose a solution tailored to your particular situation. If that solution is for some reason unacceptable to you, then you can negotiate, or at worst cancel the order and do without service.

But it's very likely they'll come up with something that works well. That's their job, after all.

A friend was in a similar situation. They used an armoured cable on the surface fix to his wall. Other options include a surface laid cable with a protective cover that is fixed to the ground.

That's good to know...

We have raised brickwork separating my drive and my neighbours that runs up to the house so I'll keep that in mind if it's not suggested.

The close was built in the 60's so probably doesn't have ducting installed but who knows what's under that manhole cover?!

have you got any grass area in the front of the house..

Also is there any preferred route ? (have more than one). OR may have other ideas of course

In reply to a post by lostinthewoods:

The close was built in the 60's so probably doesn't have ducting installed but who knows what's under that manhole cover?!

Can you see where your existing copper cable enters the house? Post a picture if you like (link to a a public image hosting site like imgur)

Nope no grass. Just pavement (of sorts) that goes around the edge of the road (like a cul-de-sac) with driveways coming off that to the houses.

I have some ideas yes so will see if any tally up with what OR want to do - thing is EE have said that first visit is one I don't need to be home for..?

I'll try and get a pic of it a bit later today

In reply to a post by lostinthewoods:

I have some ideas yes so will see if any tally up with what OR want to do - thing is EE have said that first visit is one I don't need to be home for..?

Whilst you don't have to be there the surveyor would just come up with a plan, so being around to discuss potential options is always better.

As its a cul-de-sac of sorts, with many having paved drive ways, they might go with a pole and go overhead unless the ducts are good.

Take some photos of where the existing copper enters the house, as others whom are more knowledgable than me can give a better indication of the situation

OR guy has just turned up. The copper line won't budge leading him to think there's no ducting or it's completely blocked - either way it's not running that route.

He suggested lifting the bricks and relaying but we've agreed on running it externally along the brickwork which seems like a much easier outcome!

In reply to a post by lostinthewoods:

OR guy has just turned up. The copper line won't budge leading him to think there's no ducting or it's completely blocked - either way it's not running that route.

He suggested lifting the bricks and relaying but we've agreed on running it externally along the brickwork which seems like a much easier outcome!

I'm glad you are getting fttp and goodluck

Thanks - it's been a long wait!

Cable laid and CSP fitted to the wall outside.

Roll on 1 December!