FTTP via intermediate pole

Hi all,

Openreach have been rolling out FTTP to my village and have added a CBT to the pole that my current copper line connects to. In between this pole and my house is an electricity pole that my current copper cable connects via. I've added a picture that I took from an upstairs window for clarity. In the background is the pole with the CBT / copper DP. In the foreground is the electricity pole. You can just about make out the existing copper cable coming towards my house.

Would this "intermediate" pole be a problem when it comes to eventually ordering FTTP?

Thanks
Matt

An intermediate pole is not normally an issue and I cannot see there being a problem replacing one drop with another. BT & OR operational practices may dictate that it has to be done in a specific way or by specially trained staff.

Just think what would happen if your copper drop failed - it would be replaced exactly as is with another one, but in the cae of FTTP replacing copper with galss.

Or quite possibly a "hybrid" (fibre+copper) cable, so that they can retain the copper connection to the property for the time being.

True, although I was pointing out that the situation is no worse or different than before, or could if fibre only, be better than before.

I also believe if it goes via an electric pole then its a two person job.

Edit: Around my way it is but others may say it isn't in their area.

Edited by deleted (Sat 29-Jan-22 11:07:49)

Hence my comment on BT & OR operational practices - for example: are cherry pickers allowed, or must it be ladder only, designated/trained staff, &c

Just trying to add to what you said, was not trying to take anything away or disputing it.

Edit: The reason I added in my last post "Around my way it is but others may say it isn't in their area." was to prevent other more argumentative posters from disputing it.

Edited by deleted (Sat 29-Jan-22 11:46:36)

In reply to a post by dect:

I also believe if it goes via an electric pole then its a two person job.

One to install the cable, and one to operate the defibrillator

In reply to a post by candlerb:

one to operate the defibrillator

Funny you say that, I was only watching a video on the latest defibs a few days ago. We really do need to upgrade ours

The engineer will need a blue (fibreglass) ladder and a second person, but other than that it should be fine.

In reply to a post by MHC:

...if fibre only, be better than before.

I wonder if Openreach have a position on installing hybrid copper/fibre drops where the copper is not required on shared poles.

To me it would seem sensible to mandate that fibre only cables are used where the copper introduces an additional, albeit small risk. There were after all special procedures for copper lines to sites such as substations... while higher voltages may be present in such areas they're also likely to be well maintained in contrast to shared poles exposed to the elements.

In reply to a post by troublegum:

blue (fibreglass) ladder

Have seen the blue ladders being used but didn't know they were fibreglass.

Carry on. Should be totally fine. Its up to Openreach how they safely get their engineers to run the drop, but that's no show stopper from your point of view.

No.

Hoists are allowed to work on JUP’s

House down the road had FTTP installed couple of days ago, this was via an intermediate pole but no electricity involved, there where two OR vans, not sure why, I suppose may have been training.

It's a safety feature, stops you getting electrocuted as you are not earthed is the theory. They made us replace all the ladders in the data centre at work with fibre glass ones. Not sure many people get electrocuted in data centres up ladders mind you, though they are all yellow, not seen blue ones before.