Fibre is being blown into the roads!

Hello

To my delight I saw a bunch of foreign contractors (not able to speak English unfortunately) pulling and pushing a black coated thick fibre wire through the streets today.

Pictures:

Pic 1
Pic 2

Should I be excited for FTTP finally? The BT checker still says they have no major plans to build in the exchange though :/

N.B The writing on the wire says F & W Network Ltd

Thoughts everyone?!!!??!

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Tue 30-Apr-24 12:59:46)

F & W Network is an Altnet

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

F & W Network is an Altnet

Didn't realise individual ISPs'/companies were allowed to put their own fibre into the existing ducting/system.

1) Does that mean BT FTTP will never be available as it's now covered by another provider?
2) If BT does become available will they just blow the fibre immediately next to F & W's fibre?
3) What happens if F& W / Altnet go bankrupt etc ... will they remove their own fibre wires or keep that in situ for another provider to take over?

Apologies in advance for the basic questions!

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Tue 30-Apr-24 14:06:14)

Depends. If that's just a fibre cable passing through the chamber, it could be on its way to serve a different area - and make no difference to how quickly your area is served.

However if you see them putting in a Connectorised Block Terminal or a splice enclosure, then it's more likely they could serve you from it.

Why not just check your postcode online? https://fwnetworks.co.uk/

and/or see if your town is listed here: https://fwnetworks.co.uk/our-network/coverage/

Also you can check for streetworks permits in your area on https://bidb.uk/

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Depends. If that's just a fibre cable passing through the chamber, it could be on its way to serve a different area - and make no difference to how quickly your area is served.

However if you see them putting in a Connectorised Block Terminal or a splice enclosure, then it's more likely they could serve you from it.

Why not just check your postcode online? https://fwnetworks.co.uk/

and/or see if your town is listed here: https://fwnetworks.co.uk/our-network/coverage/

Also you can check for streetworks permits in your area on https://bidb.uk/

Just typed my postcode in ... Unfortunately our services are not available within the ... area.

However my town is covered by the area they've highlighted on the map

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Tue 30-Apr-24 14:13:01)

In reply to a post by Bobby_Valentino:

Just typed my postcode in ... Unfortunately our services are not available within the ... area.

However my town is covered by the area they've highlighted on the map

That just means that right this minute, you can't order their services, but it doesn't mean that you won't be able to in the future, or even that they are working to deliver it right now. Maybe reach out to them and ask if you're on a deployment plan - it can't hurt.

FWIW I get the same thing when searching with my postcode on the altnet bring service to my street, but they are literally testing the service today and this will certainly change in the coming days and weeks.

Alt nets can use BT passive infrastructure (ducts, poles, etc) - BT are required by Ofcom to make it available.

1) It doesn't mean BT won't come to your area, in some cases it actually appears it has meant that BT have moved to an area more quickly due to concerns they will lose customers.
2) Yes, BT fibre would be blown alongside an alt nets fibre - multiple fibres can share the same ducting.
3) If they go bankrupt I suspect they wouldn't remove the fibre as there would be no viable company to remove it. In most cases it is probable another provider would buy up the assets and customer base but not guaranteed.

In reply to a post by ian72:

Alt nets can use BT passive infrastructure (ducts, poles, etc) - BT are required by Ofcom to make it available.

1) It doesn't mean BT won't come to your area, in some cases it actually appears it has meant that BT have moved to an area more quickly due to concerns they will lose customers.
2) Yes, BT fibre would be blown alongside an alt nets fibre - multiple fibres can share the same ducting.
3) If they go bankrupt I suspect they wouldn't remove the fibre as there would be no viable company to remove it. In most cases it is probable another provider would buy up the assets and customer base but not guaranteed.

Openreach, not BT!

In reply to a post by gorebrush:

In reply to a post by ian72:

Alt nets can use BT passive infrastructure (ducts, poles, etc) - BT are required by Ofcom to make it available.

1) It doesn't mean BT won't come to your area, in some cases it actually appears it has meant that BT have moved to an area more quickly due to concerns they will lose customers.
2) Yes, BT fibre would be blown alongside an alt nets fibre - multiple fibres can share the same ducting.
3) If they go bankrupt I suspect they wouldn't remove the fibre as there would be no viable company to remove it. In most cases it is probable another provider would buy up the assets and customer base but not guaranteed.

Openreach, not BT!

Sorry, eek!

In reply to a post by ian72:

Alt nets can use BT passive infrastructure (ducts, poles, etc) - BT are required by Ofcom to make it available.

1) It doesn't mean BT won't come to your area, in some cases it actually appears it has meant that BT have moved to an area more quickly due to concerns they will lose customers.
2) Yes, BT fibre would be blown alongside an alt nets fibre - multiple fibres can share the same ducting.
3) If they go bankrupt I suspect they wouldn't remove the fibre as there would be no viable company to remove it. In most cases it is probable another provider would buy up the assets and customer base but not guaranteed.

Thanks for all those answers!

I had another one ... 4) Will alt nets newly laid fibre (along the street) connect to to Openreachs existing FTTC DSLAM located up the road, which in turn uses BT's fibre back to the BT telephone exchange?

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Tue 30-Apr-24 15:20:17)