FTTP lead times

What are people currently seeing as the actual FTTP lead times?

I need to plan an install for a very elderly family member and it has to be when I am there!

Intention is to order FTTP from PlusNet (no choice - I have my orders) as a new install. Then, be there (200 miles away) when OR install it and then move the netwrok across.

Then arrange a PSTN to VoIP migration as I need to keep the number. That will then trigger the FTTC termination - yes some charges, but only a month or two and there is no worry about it.

Finally, install a Gigaset Base station at the house - which may be programmed in advance and just waiting ready.


The key to it all is the FTTP installation date which has to coincide with a visit and as he is on the Priority Services Register they should not cancel at the last minute

the only thing i can say that may be of help is that, make sure PN is aware of this in advance, as well. Beyond that - well you know how things are.

In reply to a post by Taras:

the only thing i can say that may be of help is that, make sure PN is aware of this in advance, as well. Beyond that - well you know how things are.

Already discussed with them ... And the best/cheapest way to keep the number which has been in use for 60 years, so training other friends to use a new number might not be easy.

In reply to a post by MHC:

Already discussed with them ... And the best/cheapest way to keep the number which has been in use for 60 years, so training other friends to use a new number might not be easy.

Is it not possible to use a mobile phone instead? Even older people use mobile phones and there are a some phone that have larger keypads and displays if that is needed.

You find me a mobile provider that offer porting of a 01XXXX number.

Just to let you know and apologizes if you are fully aware of this: if there are any problems with the exterior installation, which may cause a delay to the activation, the interior fitting of an ONT can be completed. This would mean that installers would not need to enter the property to complete the full installation/activation at a future time.

When I had FTTP installed, firstly the technician drilled a hole in the wall, feed a length of inside/outside fibre cable through the hole, fitted the ONT and power it on. Then he proceeded to work on the exterior installation. In my case the fibre cable (together with the original BT copper pairs) was from the street via underground ducting to the CSP, He said that he did it in this order so that there would be no need to enter the property again if there had been any serious issues with a blocked duct which is apparently not uncommon. Fortunately I had no issues with the underground duct.

Hopefully you wont have any potential problems with the FTTP installation/activation - good luck.

It is a fairly simple install. Pole immediately opposite, so straight to the house and either down to ground level or an accessible intermediate point. Straight through the wall and the ONT immediately there.

The existing copper, comes to teh front of teh house, drops about 2m then runs 12m down the side, across the back - another 8m. Down to te top of a door, through the frame, then wriggles around to a master socket. From there, up and over doors across ceiling, and ultimately to where the modem is - just where the ONT will be!

Pleased to hear that since the intended long journey should not result in you witnessing an incomplete FTTP activation

In reply to a post by MHC:

You find me a mobile provider that offer porting of a 01XXXX number.

what i meant is just to use a mobile phone, forget about porting the number. Older people cope with things better than you think and getting people to phone your family member using a mobile phone may be easier than you think.
I see a lot of older people using shop and scan at work.
Sure you know your family member and their contacts, so porting the number to a VoIP may be the best way. But you have to make sure that Plusnet don't cancel the FTTC before the number is ported. Maybe get FTTP on another account first.

How will getting him a mobile helop those calling him? It will NOT. You try telling several 95 + year olds with short term memory issues that their friend has a new phone number. It will not work.


And read the original post. FTTP will be installed alongside FTTC, so another account already.

In reply to a post by MHC:

The key to it all is the FTTP installation date which has to coincide with a visit and as he is on the Priority Services Register they should not cancel at the last minute

This sound difficult but when signing up I would try to arrange a fixed date for the instalation, as part of the contract, and I would set a date way in advance of the maximum lead time so that there is no excuse not to keep to it.

I don't know what the instalation lead times are but Plusnet should be able to let you know the maximum lead time, (eg. in 6 weeks), and with that knowledge in the circumstances you could arrange a fixed date two weeks after the maximum lead time, (eg. in 8 weeks time), letting them know the specified date needs to be kept to as it is the only day that you have availability to allow them access.

It sounds difficult. - I hope it works out.

May I ask a question: is this because of the loss of Copper Phone Lines?

I ask because a 95 year old will probably not want the change and copper lines work if the mains power goes off while VOIP will not.

If it is mainly down to the end of Copper Phone Lines, (as I understand it Openreach will allow the Copper Phone Line to stay in such circumstances., (ie. For a vulnerable customer).

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/retiring-t...

Kind Regards,
Fido

In reply to a post by MHC:

How will getting him a mobile helop those calling him? It will NOT. You try telling several 95 + year olds with short term memory issues that their friend has a new phone number. It will not work.


And read the original post. FTTP will be installed alongside FTTC, so another account already.

You did not say how old they are and if they had short term memory loss, we have a customer who is 98 I think, and he uses his phone to shop. i realise that others may not be like him and some younger ones are not as well as he is

Other people can call mobile phones, this is the way things are going, not that i agree with it.
what you must also remember is that Voip will not work in a power cut or if there is a problem with the broadband.
As for the new install, I did miss that part.
I hope it goes well.

In reply to a post by MHC:

What are people currently seeing as the actual FTTP lead times?

2 - 4 weeks, depending on the area.

Could you explain why the requirement to use Plusnet? You've presumably explained that Plusnet don't sell voice with FTTP? Is it because the current service provider is Plusnet?

If voice is important then maybe the easiest solution here, although I hate to say it, is to go with BT (or Sky or Vodafone or Zen). It would de-risk both the FTTP installation and the keeping of the voice number.

The reason I would suggest BT is because voice is a core part of their business, and priority services is a core part of their business. (At least, they are *supposed* to have a dedicated team for this - we've also heard terrible tales of BT mis-selling ridiculous packages to elderly people who don't need them)

Yes, you will pay more. It's something to weigh up against how much inconvenience would come from a failed installation visit and/or failed number port.

Changing to a mobile *could* also be a solution. It's possible to forward an 01 number to a mobile (although you pay per minute), or have a recorded message telling the caller the new number to dial.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

what i meant is just to use a mobile phone, forget about porting the number. Older people cope with things better than you think

Its a shame you don't 🤣

As long as the voip is fine, MHC's plan is a good one, and one with little issue. Just remember going to a closed system like digital voice has its drawbacks .

Orders from above: PlusNet - a Yorkshire brand. So, no choice.

Seperate install and contract, with FTTC continuing.

I have found PNs Priority Services team to be excellent - call in an issue at 15:00 on a Friday, then got OR out by 08:00 Saturday

Ultimately, the PSTN will close down end of 2025 so anyone wishing to retain a 'landline' will have to go to a VOIP service of some kind, be it over copper or fibre or something else.
Copper lines will be with us for years to come. Most people probably will not have a full fibre connection until years after the PSTN closure anyway.

Dect that wasn't very nice!

In reply to a post by Taras:

Dect that wasn't very nice!

I'll try to do better in the future.

In reply to a post by dect:

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

what i meant is just to use a mobile phone, forget about porting the number. Older people cope with things better than you think

Its a shame you don't 🤣

i do if it suits me. I have had Voip for years, i had a wireless network years ago. But this is not the thread for this.l

In reply to a post by MHC:

Orders from above: PlusNet - a Yorkshire brand. So, no choice.

Seperate install and contract, with FTTC continuing.

I have found PNs Priority Services team to be excellent - call in an issue at 15:00 on a Friday, then got OR out by 08:00 Saturday

plusnet stopped being a Yorkshire brand once BT grabbed hold of it. When I phoned plusnet the person on the other end was certainly not from Yorkshire unless Yorkshire have moved further north.

plusnet stopped being a Yorkshire brand once BT grabbed hold of it. When I phoned plusnet the person on the other end was certainly not from Yorkshire unless Yorkshire have moved further north

So conclusive proof then 🙄

‘Sorry, we can’t offer you a job at Plusnet, because you’re not from Yorkshire’

In reply to a post by MHC:

Orders from above: PlusNet - a Yorkshire brand. So, no choice.

Ha. It's about as Yoirkshire as Yorkshire Tea.

Sounds similar to what I did but for my install.
1) Ordered full fibre, got it installed, set it up with my own hardware.
2) ported number to a Voip service (I use my mobile phone and the wifes) which cancelled the old service.

In your case I would say order the new service, set up the Voip service (In my case they provided a new free number) get everything set up with the free number and make sure it all works ok. Now have the current home number ported to your Voip provider this should only take a few days so you can plan your visit around that time and change the gateway to use the old number.
Most you will have to pay is a few extra months on the old FTTC service.

My son has autism and no internet is a huge issue and for me not worth the hassle, the time it took to move the service over was enough of an issue for him and I wish I had done it when he was sleeping. I foolishly thought less than half an hour would not cause an issue.

With me using mobiles means I don't rely on being in if someone phones but few people use my house number any more and I'm thinking of cancelling it, but it's handy if you don't want people knowing yourmobile number.

In reply to a post by Fido:

as I understand it Openreach will allow the Copper Phone Line to stay in such circumstances., (ie. For a vulnerable customer).

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/retiring-t...

Definitely not.
Openreach have fixed timetable for the PSTN closure.

From September 2023 we'll only provide digital phones across the UK.

PSTN can't be ordered after September 2023 and existing lines will need migrated to VOIP by 2025 when the network is completely switched off.

The provider may allow vulnerable customers to retain their analogue copper phone line beyond the providers own deadline, which can be earlier than Openreach's deadline, but Openreach will not make exceptions.

There's a bit right at the bottom of that page about vulnerable customers that some people read too much in to. It says nothing about Openreach making exceptions. It's the provider who can make exceptions to their own timetable/policy but that exception can't be leaving things as they are.

If you have a good reason not to make the move - there may be special exceptions such as if you're a vulnerable customer or have critical equipment that might not work. If you think this applies to you, you should check with your service provider to check what's the best option for you.

Those options may be a mobile phone, VOIP, a satellite phone, providing a UPS to power the router/VOIP handset, etc, or just a temporary delay to the provider moving the customer to VOIP.

It could be a mix of all of the above. BT are making a handset that does VOIP, contains a SIM for mobile backup and they can also provide a UPS. There was talk of a BT handset with satellite backup rather than a mobile based backup for those with no mobile reception. No idea what came of that.
BT will also allow you to delay the switch to VOIP to give you time to upgrade home alarm systems or care alarm systems that rely on a traditional analogue line.
However it's just a delay as the Openreach equipment is being turned off on the date scheduled.

All of the above is related to PSTN only (exchange powered analogue telephone lines) and has nothing to do with the copper line itself. Copper lines will be around a long time after 2025 for broadband and VOIP for millions who still have no FTTP available.

Edited by j0hn83 (Sun 11-Jun-23 00:41:54)

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

plusnet stopped being a Yorkshire brand once BT grabbed hold of it. When I phoned plusnet the person on the other end was certainly not from Yorkshire unless Yorkshire have moved further north.

You do know that people with different accents move around the country? 😂

Your call to Plusnet was answered by someone in the Plusnet call centre. Plusnet are very much still based in Sheffield. Last time I checked Sheffield was still in South Yorkshire.
They also have a call centre in Doncaster (South Yorkshire) and 1 in Leeds (West Yorkshire).

Yorkshire is just shy of 12,000km² and is the largest area by size in the UK.

Control of the company may have moved from Yorkshire to BT Group offices in London but the accent of the guy/gal on the other end of the phone has nothing to do with them being a Yorkshire company or not.

Edited by j0hn83 (Sun 11-Jun-23 00:59:33)

Thank for that correction and for the clarification.

I foolishly and incorrectly took what was written in the Openreach Web Link, (with regard to special exceptions being made for vulnerable customers), to be accurate if taken upon face value.

Unfortunately when they Openreach write; "If you have a good reason not to make the move - there may be special exceptions such as if you're a vulnerable customer" which implies that vulnerable customers could allowed to stay as they are it really means something completely different as everone will make the move as and when decided by Openreach.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So conclusive proof then 🙄

‘Sorry, we can’t offer you a job at Plusnet, because you’re not from Yorkshire’

It belongs to BT, so yes the headquarters is in Sheffield, but it is still part of BT. Granted that BT seem to run it separately, which is maybe why it offers better service than BT.
By what I have seen, it looks like BT is going to keep plusnet as a value, basic brand. Does anyone know where their call centre is, is it still Sheffield?

I have been happy with plusnet most of the time.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

You do know that people with different accents move around the country? 😂

Wow, you shocked me, i would never have realised that if you did not tell me.

Your call to Plusnet was answered by someone in the Plusnet call centre. Plusnet are very much still based in Sheffield. Last time I checked Sheffield was still in South Yorkshire.
They also have a call centre in Doncaster (South Yorkshire) and 1 in Leeds (West Yorkshire).

Yorkshire is just shy of 12,000km² and is the largest area by size in the UK.

Control of the company may have moved from Yorkshire to BT Group offices in London but the accent of the guy/gal on the other end of the phone has nothing to do with them being a Yorkshire company or not.

I did know most of that, but was not sure if the call centre was still in Yorkshire. But just because a call centre or the HQ is in a town, city, area don't mean that the company is much to do with that area now.
Look at Bulmer here, people say it is Herefordian, It was many years ago, when the Bulmer's family owned it, but now it is owned by Heineken. the cider may be produced here, but the company is now about as Herefordian as Heineken is. Not that i have had any of their cider since it was taken over, prefer Westons

at the end of the day plusnet is still BT, but thankfully managed to stay away from the awful service B.T gives.