FTTP rollout timescales

Hi all,

Is there any way I can find out when FTTP will be available to order from my post code? I have tried the labs.thinkbroadband.com link and it states it is not available. I have also looked on the Openreach rollout plan and it seems to be pretty vague/lacking detail.

However, both Fibrus and Openreach have been installing new equipment (looks very much like running new cables down my street) in the last few months, and both are still digging and installing all over town in fact, every day they are digging up a new road.

I ask because my current Plusnet contract expires in a couple of months so I don't want to be either stuck paying out of contract price for months (price will go up from about £30 to about £40 iirc) or sign a new contract with Plusnet and then be stuck with them as my only FTTP option when it becomes available (assuming Plusnet will offer it - I have been led to believe from info elsewhere they are doing sporadic upgrades to FTTP for existing users).

So folks, any ideas? My post code is LA9 7HE.

Thanks

H

The short answer is no: there's no way to know with any certainty when it's going to become available, until it's actually available.

If you want to try to keep an eye on progress, you may get some clues from https://bidb.uk/

If you want to take fibre as soon as it's available, your options are:

1. Just wait. Pay out-of-contract prices to Plusnet until you're ready to move.

2. Take a new Plusnet contract. I have heard that they will allow you an in-contract upgrade to FTTP on either BT or EE, or presumably to their own FTTP service which they quietly launched a few days ago. But get that in writing before you sign a new contract.

This option only works for the Openreach FTTP build, *and* if you're happy to remain with Plusnet or another BT-group company. If you want the Cityfibre option you'll be locked out.

3. Take a new contract with another ISP who does both Openreach FTTC *and* Cityfibre FTTP (such as Zen), *and* who will agree to an in-contract upgrade (I don't know if Zen will do that).

That's the riskiest option IMO, because not all ISPs on Cityfibre sell in all areas of CItyfibre's network. In any case, Zen is probably about the same price as Plusnet out-of-contract.

Thanks for the thorough reply. I figured I might be forced down one of those routes. Fingers crossed the rollouts complete before my contract expires!

H

If our local fibre isn't hooked up by the time my current contract ends, i will use an ISP that has a rolling monthly contract. IDNet for eg.

Just posted an ISPR news update regarding Fibrus in your other thread. Looking at their website news, Penrith went live around a month ago. Apparently they announced the start of the build in July ‘21. So around 10 months from start to ready for service.

That gives you a very rough idea of the build times. I’d say if you are able to order in the next 6 months you’d be doing well.

Hi Buddy
I too was in a similar situation with Plusnet contract ending, it ended early May this year, but with 4 companies installing fttp in my area, I decided to not renew a contract.
Sadly to date I am still waiting for fttp to go live and being stuck with a plusnet bill of £49-95 per month.
For the short time until it does go live I can put up with the higher monthly cost, I removed anytime calls to knock it down that bit more, but the law of Sod says as soon as you agree a new contract, the following day men in hi vis vests will be busy in your street.

Round our way the council have got the companies together to give a house level map showing planned work over the coming year

https://www.superfastworcestershire.com/

Looks like Malvern shoul be done by the end of this year. Can hardly move for openreach vans and men in highvis jackets..

To update my post fibre is now available to order, thankfully I preordered last Monday after having seen a flurry of activity up poles and underground in the street.
Whilst walking I took a mental note of where I saw the workers, searched google for a post code and then searched the isp's installing in the area, I had 4 of them.
In the space of 1 week I noticed cbt plugs fitted to a splitter and workers splicing in the underground box.
My street has been preorder since early April but out of contract since May, so could have been a lot worse, the new fttp isp gives 3 months free so hasn't really cost any extra being out of contract.
Keep your eyes on the poles and pavement markings, I also found this site helpful with up and coming telephone works in your area.
https://bidb.uk/
Just pop in your post code and it will show works by different isps etc

Lee