FTTC Unavailable (Presumably no ports)

Are OR known for increasing FTTC capacity in the current climate ? If not I presume the only other choice (besides slow ADSL) is FTTPoD or Ethernet.

Don't believe VM is available and 4/5G is not an option.

Thoughts?

They may not increase ports but others may drop their FTTC contracts which would free up ports. The best hope would be if some houses on the cabinet are now enabled for FTTP as then they would hopefully start moving from FTTC to FTTP freeing up some ports for people who can't yet get FTTP.

In reply to a post by ian72:

They may not increase ports but others may drop their FTTC contracts which would free up ports. The best hope would be if some houses on the cabinet are now enabled for FTTP as then they would hopefully start moving from FTTC to FTTP freeing up some ports for people who can't yet get FTTP.

People also move house etc so there are a few ways ports free up. Typically I find it takes 3-4 weeks for one to become available - but you need a competent ISP to make sure you get one.

Are you basing those assumptions solely from the BT Wholesale Checker? https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

If you are only assuming it is not available because the checker is currently showing Unavailable, that's simply a glitch with the checker itself and it shows that on 100% of all postcodes currently. This is because of the new Digital Voice migration, because analogue phone service is being switched off the checker makes it look like FTTC ain't available while showing SOGEA as available. That of-course doesn't make sense as you can't have SOGEA without FTTC.

It does not mean that no ports are available (unless it shows Waiting List). If you are not seeing "Waiting List" then ports are available at the cabinet.

The best way to find out is if you enter your postcode in an ISP site and see if it allows you to order an FTTC service.

What does the BT Broadband checker say? Use the address search rather than number search.

I rather use Access Line ID but many ISPs won't given to us for some reason. Have to use address instead for any FTTP, SoGEA or Sogfast line.

Edited by adslmax (Thu 09-Nov-23 16:40:54)

Sorry just catching up with the replies;

Checker says 'waiting list' for any FTTC services, ADSL available <5mbit or FoD

Sounds like FoD is the only guaranteed way (with all the ECC's and the like... Joy.) Might still be less than Ethernet. There is no option to wait on the off change someone moves house, dies, migrates to another service.

p.s checker has been checked with multiple addresses and phone numbers all on the same cab, all return the same result

Edited by IamQ (Fri 10-Nov-23 17:42:48)

FTTPoD does not guarantee any delivery timescales. Even though you have to pay the full amount up front,aA wait of 12-18 months for delivery is not unknown. Meanwhile it's very likely you could snag a free FTTC port - or even FTTP arrives.

Find a high-end ISP who implements the waitlist and can snag the port for you. If you have to pay £10 or £20 per month for the first year or two, it's money much better spent than on FTTPoD.

Keep in mind that if your property is an MDU (Multi Dwelling Unit) then FTTPoD cannot be ordered as wayleave will still be a problem.

If a management team refuses wayleave for normal FTTP there's no reason why they'll grant you specifically the special treatment even if you paid Openreach a hefty price.

There's also the problem that it may end up wasting your money because by the time FTTP comes then you will regret it unless you're some Rockefeller who doesn't feel that 10k is a big deal to splash on.

If you are living in an individual house then FTTPoD will work. If you are part of MDU then your best bet is to involve your neighbours and try and apply pressure on management team.

Attend leaseholder's meetings and gather all residents to attend those meetings to speak to the team telling them how important FTTP is. More pressure, the higher the chance you'll force your management to become fed-up and make an agreement happen. You can also try to involve your local MP.

But if you just stay and don't do nothing hoping that it will happen, you'll be waiting forever. It is not just a matter of Openreach or any Altnet showing interest.

I was in a similar situation in 2015 as a Hyperoptic Champion, Hyperoptic Representative tried to get hold of the technical services manager but they refused. They kept hanging up on their telephone calls.
In the end 2 years ago my management team EastendHomes finally agreed with Community Fibre instead.

I'd be very happy if there was a second FTTP overbuild with either Openreach or Hyperopic, but there's nothing I can do. I'm stuck with Community Fibre being my only option (aside from FTTC) and frankly, I could've not had that either.

Thanks all.

Yes the wayleave is another matter entirely which I'm aware of but I was under the impression in a lot of cases if they had a right of way already established (other services for example) then it shouldn't be so much of an issue. It's a small MDU so the neighbour thing could be an option in any event.

Re FoD install times - really?! I presumed (like a fool!) they had sensible delivery dates. (I guess I'm spoiled with 90 day ethernet in my work life)

Thanks all for the feedback and ideas. This was with a perspective move in mind but there are other places to explore!