Who are UFN

We already have FTTP and the whole area is already connected with FTTP.

Today there was a van outside of our house from a company called UFN.

They lifted the grid at the end of our garden to our FTTP and they were pushing through cables, had lifted the FTTP nodes and were generally messing about and when we asked what they were doing they said that they were UFN working on behalf of BT/Zoom and they were cabling the whole area town FTTP but we already have FTTP provided by openreach and when we pointed this out out they became abusive and said that it was nothing to do with us.

We contacted BT but they have no idea who they are.

Who are UFN and what are they up to ?

Does anyone know ?

Regards,
Fido

They are a contractor to Zoom. They are installing their own FTTP network, b paying for access to Openreach duct and poles.

It's completely separate and unrelated to Openreach FTTP.

Hi j0hn83,


Thank you for this information. - (Knowledgeable as always).

Since it is a new cabling system inside the BT/Openreach Manhole a concern which will mean that yet more people will be messing around inside the manhole over the years and it could mean that they may even want to expand the size of the Manhole, (which is presently level with the garden), and that is the last thing that we would want.

It seems whiffy to us that BT/Openreach considering that it is OK to give third parties permission to install other companies additional equipment/cabling on other peoples properties as it is not something that we want especially without consultation and agreement.

When Openreach needed to dig our garden to clear a collapse duct so that neighbour's could get FTTP they asked and we gave them time limited permission but the guys who cam today would not have asked as their general attitude was poor.

Regards,
Fido

In reply to a post by Fido:

It seems whiffy to us that BT/Openreach considering that it is OK to give third parties permission to install other companies additional equipment/cabling on other peoples properties as it is not something that we want especially without consultation and agreement.

I have to be honest and say I have never seen a wayleave agreement for telecoms so not sure if its written in a way that allows them to add third party equipment through PIA without a revision to the wayleave agreement. Either way if the joint box is on your land it would seem only fair for the contractors to knock on your door before starting the work and to be professional at all times.

In reply to a post by Fido:

Hi j0hn83,


Thank you for this information. - (Knowledgeable as always).

Since it is a new cabling system inside the BT/Openreach Manhole a concern which will mean that yet more people will be messing around inside the manhole over the years and it could mean that they may even want to expand the size of the Manhole, (which is presently level with the garden), and that is the last thing that we would want.

It seems whiffy to us that BT/Openreach considering that it is OK to give third parties permission to install other companies additional equipment/cabling on other peoples properties as it is not something that we want especially without consultation and agreement.

When Openreach needed to dig our garden to clear a collapse duct so that neighbour's could get FTTP they asked and we gave them time limited permission but the guys who cam today would not have asked as their general attitude was poor.

Regards,
Fido

Lots of people seem unfamiliar with the concept of a service strip - are you 100% sure this is even your property? If it is your property then the next question is going to be what does the wayleave agreement say?

Edited by jpm (Tue 07-Mar-23 17:22:19)

In reply to a post by jpm:

Lots of people seem unfamiliar with the concept of a service strip - are you 100% sure this is even your property? If it is your property then the next question is going to be what does the wayleave agreement say?

Yes it is definitely our property and there is no wayleave that I am aware of and in any case a wayleave should not be used to allow an unrelated third party to pay Openreach to access someone elses property.

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/obtaining...

I have read somewhere that some company has been installing new telegraph poles in some ducted areas because it is easier for them in spite of local objections probable because of an ineffectual watchdog, (OFCOM), and weakenned legislation.

I suspect that this may be another example of the sort of new legislation introduced by Barmy Boris and his crew of duffers. - (ie. The guy who took us out of the EU on the basis that a piddling 17.4 million votes out of a possible 66 million votes is the will of the people).

Regards,
Fido

Edited by Fido (Tue 07-Mar-23 19:27:37)

In reply to a post by Fido:

In reply to a post by jpm:

Lots of people seem unfamiliar with the concept of a service strip - are you 100% sure this is even your property? If it is your property then the next question is going to be what does the wayleave agreement say?

Yes it is definitely our property and there is no wayleave that I am aware of and in any case a wayleave should not be used to allow an unrelated third party to pay Openreach to access someone elses property.

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/obtaining...

I have read somewhere that some company has been installing new telegraph poles in some ducted areas because it is easier for them in spite of local objections probable because of an ineffectual watchdog, (OFCOM), and weakenned legislation.

I suspect that this may be another example of the sort of new legislation introduced by Barmy Boris and his crew of duffers. - (ie. The guy who took us out of the EU on the basis that a piddling 17.4 million votes out of a possible 66 million votes is the will of the people).

Regards,
Fido

Fido its Openreach's duct and pole network to do with as they please. You do not have veto rights over whom they grant PIA to. However if this is on private property then they need to seek permission from the property owner for access. Like anyone else. Very simple.

If you have an issue with the conduct or attitude of the team from UFN, I'd suggest you contract their management and lodge a formal complaint.

In reply to a post by Fido:

I suspect that this may be another example of the sort of new legislation introduced by Barmy Boris and his crew of duffers. - (ie. The guy who took us out of the EU on the basis that a piddling 17.4 million votes out of a possible 66 million votes is the will of the people).

Lets not get political on the main part of this forum please Fido as we all have a view on this matter and its not necessarily the same view as you

"However if this is on private property then they need to seek permission from the property owner for access."

What is a wayleave for?

In reply to a post by broadband66:

"However if this is on private property then they need to seek permission from the property owner for access."

What is a wayleave for?

Quite. If this is on private property and serving other premises, then a wayleave or easement should really be in place.

I have HV powerlines crossing a part of my place in Suffolk, with a wayleave in place. UKPN request access if they need to access for any reason (unless its inspection by 'copter)