Openreach replace copper with fibre

When I have OR FTTP installed, what are the chances that they'll be able to replace my redundant NTE5 box with the ONT, and reuse the hole that the copper cable currently comes in through for the fibre from the CSP? Power supply to the NTE5 location not a problem. Even better, remove the copper wires entirely back to the pole? I hate that copper/aluminium cable very deeply.

Edited by Thaumaturge (Thu 11-Jun-26 21:22:24)

Depends on the engineer. Some leave it in place and don't bother, others will happily remove it.

Of-course, once you get Openreach FTTP naturally the copper will become redundant because there will be no copper or FTTC service that can be ordered ever again. The system will simply not give you ADSL/2+ or FTTC packages. Just like FTTC available areas can no longer order ADSL/2+

If the FTTP is confirmed to work perfectly after a while then you can safely rip the copper yourself along with the NTE5 box.

They are not replacing it. They are simply manually installing the fibre in place while usually leaving the copper to remain.
Of-course normally speaking it is a breach of terms to remove it yourself but I believe in this circumstance it is safe to do so once you get Openreach FTTP. You are not allowed to remove it if you were simply upgraded to an Altnet FTTP provider.

I also hate the fact that I have this copper travelling around my hallway and an NTE5 Master socket located in a place that I did not install by my choice (but by our ex-tenant when we were renting out 20 years ago). But we have no choice but to keep it until Openreach upgrade us to FTTP.

Politely explain to the installer that you do not wish to retain the dropwire, and would like the ONT to replace the current NTE. Explain that you will cease ALL services on the current feed, and that you do not have any alarms that rely on it, etc.

Allowing the installer to ‘cut and draw’ using the old O/H cable should actually make it easier for them.

Be aware that this choice will result in significant downtime whilst the install is done. So no ‘oh, can you just leave it connected till it’s all ready to go’ etc.

This way, it ought to be easy for the installer to carry out your wish for the copper removal.

In reply to a post by BLaZiNgSPEED:

Of-course, once you get Openreach FTTP naturally the copper will become redundant because there will be no copper or FTTC service that can be ordered ever again.

That only applies if you are in a "copper stop sell" exchange area, which is usually triggered when >75% of properties have FTTP available.

In reply to a post by BLaZiNgSPEED:

The system will simply not give you ADSL/2+ or FTTC packages. Just like FTTC available areas can no longer order ADSL/2+

Technically there's no reason you can't order ADSL in an FTTC area, but most SPs now choose not to offer it.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

That only applies if you are in a "copper stop sell" exchange area, which is usually triggered when >75% of properties have FTTP available.

Is that 75% - 75% OR fibre only - or 75%=OR+vm+alt net

To clarify, the copper cable isn't in use and hasn't been used for the last 5 years. I've had altnet FTTP and VoIP for some time. I have no intention, ever, of going back to it, and I guess now OR FTTP has finally arrived there'll soon be a stop-sell here so I couldn't even if I wanted to. For reasons explained elsewhere, I now want to switch to an OR FTTP based service.

I accept that the altnet fibre and CSP will have to stay.

as zarjaz said

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Politely explain to the installer that you do not wish to retain the dropwire, and would like the ONT to replace the NTE.

that is all you have to say ..... there is no further complication, unless you have an odd existing OR/BT install

Openreach only

In reply to a post by witchunt:

Openreach only

no i meant in general any install of copper - which would include bt and in some cases the gpo

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by BLaZiNgSPEED:

Of-course, once you get Openreach FTTP naturally the copper will become redundant because there will be no copper or FTTC service that can be ordered ever again.

That only applies if you are in a "copper stop sell" exchange area, which is usually triggered when >75% of properties have FTTP available.

Well irrespective of the 75% figure for exchange area, any postcode that was upgraded to FTTP does not give ADSL or FTTC option with the exception of Pop Telecom (the only ISP that I found).

The broadband availability checker ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules.

That's personally what I have experienced looking at properties e.g. Winterton House a Tower Block in Shadwell, London E1 2QR before FTTP became available it was showing only FTTC packages. After it went live a few years ago it no longer shows FTTC packages for any ISP other than Pop Telecom.

You'll find that majority of ISPs just don't fetch those packages, unless they are able to offer them via a telephone call.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by BLaZiNgSPEED:

The system will simply not give you ADSL/2+ or FTTC packages. Just like FTTC available areas can no longer order ADSL/2+

Technically there's no reason you can't order ADSL in an FTTC area, but most SPs now choose not to offer it.

To be fair, the only ISP that I have found giving me the option to order ADSL in both FTTC and surprisingly even FTTP areas is Pop Telecom!

And the only other ISP that gives ADSL option is Direct Save Telecom and BT but only in ADSL only areas.

While contrary to what Google AI says.AI Overview

Major UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that still offer standard ADSL (copper) broadband include BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, NOW Broadband, and TalkTalk

However, this appears to be false. When I search for those particular postcodes that have only ADSL... These are the results I find.

Sky: Unfortunately Sky Broadband is not available at your address

TalkTalk: We can’t offer a broadband plan today
All TalkTalk broadband plans use full fibre broadband. At the moment, our Full Fibre isn’t available in your area, so we can’t offer a broadband plan today.

Zen: Unfortunately, we've not been able to find any online products for your address. Please call to check with our Sales Team on 01706 902912.

Vodafone: Great news, you're in our 5G Broadband area

Plusnet: We are very sorry

Sadly due to an error we cannot process this online - please call our helpful advisors to proceed to checkout.
---------------
In my case with Community Fibre being available, both Vodafone and TalkTalk no longer show FTTC options anymore!

Interestingly postcodes in London with no FTTC option (that have Community Fibre) will only provide FTTP for both Vodafone and TalkTalk that previously would not even show ADSL as an option!

Whether a special request via ISP phone call gives you the option, I do not know. But even if an ISP gives you this option through a telephone call, you are still at a disadvantage as you don't get the voucher offers that you typically get through Uswitch or other broadband comparison site. This ultimately leaves the copper line useless unless you don't even have an Altnet or VM to choose. Extremely few places in the UK will neither have an Altnet or FTTC option available to make ADSL still valuable. Most of these people opt for 4G or 5G broadband service instead.