There is a BT manhole at the end of our driveway where they originally connected the fibre from. This manhole is approximately 15m from the current CSP and less than 20m from where the CSP in the new plant room will be (i.e. an extra 5m).

The ducting was originally laid under the driveway which is being dug up as well as the garage being demolished. I thought it would be easier for me to lay new ducting to replace the existing ducting (i.e. take it back to the manhole entry point) and then BT can just connect everything up. Another option is to get BT out to install new ducting themselves but my concern is the time it will take to get BT to do this and will the build phase have moved on too quickly for them.

Whichever options you take regarding placing new ducting down to your property and digging where Openreach's plant equipment and infrastructure is, you will need to get permission from Openreach beforehand.

Without permissions you may be liable for repairs and reworks that may need to be done.

Edit: If your building and ground works haven't started yet, then I would contact Openreach ASAP using the info in the developers handbook so that the required permissions and other processes can start.

Edited by cymru123 (Mon 30-May-16 14:56:51)

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

I wonder if you are missing something subtle here? Something about ownership of existing infrastructure?

The existing ducting belongs to BT, and the fibre coming through it is part of the BT network ... and you strictly aren't supposed to fiddle with anything beyond the ONT (nor the ONT itself, probably).

I thought it would easier for BT if I installed the ducting (using their approved ducts) but had not thought about ownership of their existing ducts...

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

What is happening to the existing fibre? Who makes sure that is removed correctly, separated from the DP, and unlit? Who is removing the copper, and making sure it is no longer fed with electricity?

I assumed the fibre could just be chopped (similar to if it was accidentally cut by a digger for example). It sounds like there may be some issues with this?

There are 3 or 4 copper lines installed in the property (from before I bought the house) using armoured cables but none of them are active (I just use the FTTP). Do they need more formal removal?

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

If you are going to be installing ducting on the BT side, just what do you expect to connect *your* ducting onto? Joined onto existing Openreach ducting somewhere underground? I'm pretty sure that Openreach won't let you connect "your" ducting - though they might give/sell you some of theirs to install yourself (restrictions apply, to seal the ducts from gas/liquid), which will then become their property as they later reconnect you.

I could either install new ducting which connects to the existing ducting to extend it 5m or so or I could replace all the ducting from the manhole outside my driveway. I found a document showing BT's list of approved ducting but I have not yet looked into how the builder would actually get this ducting.

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

The original link you were given also has links to "Process, contracts and policy"; that in turn has links to both:
- Network Alterations ("as a builder, developer, architect, consultant or contractor, it's important you notify us first before starting work on your project to avoid causing any unlawful network damage that you'll be liable to pay for");
- External Network Relocation ("if you are only carrying out demolition works and/or require the isolation of network apparatus").

The "Altering our Network" page includes statements of "If you wish to move or alter our network apparatus on a public footpath/pavement/highway, or on your land, such as ... ", "Underground ducting or cables" and "An internal distribution connection box (this is where our external network meets your internal telecoms wiring)"

The Openreach website has this page for the kind of work you look to be doing (including building extensions), and has contact details. I'm pretty sure you ought to be talking to them - and they will be able to give you direct answers on what you can do on a one-off rebuild, rather than a new property.

Perhaps I need to rethink the approach. Openreach's network relocation team might be the best point of contact.

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

In reply to a post by bdo21:

is there any reason to install copper or shall I just go for a pure FTTP installation?

I suspect that the choice might not be yours - BT might insist (for their USO obligations) that you restore the copper ducting too.

Another reason to contact BT.

Thanks very much for your detailed post - very helpful!

In reply to a post by bdo21:

I could either install new ducting which connects to the existing ducting to extend it 5m or so or I could replace all the ducting from the manhole outside my driveway. I found a document showing BT's list of approved ducting but I have not yet looked into how the builder would actually get this ducting.

If you can't get it from BT, try here.

I have an update for those interested and a question! I had the Openreach moves team come out to survey what I needed ahead of the construction work starting. They said they are the same team that move BT infrastructure when they are widening the M25 as an example so residential FTTP is not normally what they do and the cost structure reflects this.

The base case is they would need to blow new fibre from a node - there is no connector near our house so the distance is reasonably long. This is expensive. They suggested an alternative that we cut the fibre cable and store it in the duct during the construction work and hope that it does not crack and then reinstall the FTTP using the same cable which would be much cheaper. This makes sense but the positioning of the new constructions means the existing length of fibre cable is going to be very tight and if the fibre is cracked, the solution does not work.

I came home his evening and found Openreach installing ducting for another FTTPoD installation on our small road (only five houses). The engineer said they are installing ducting which has capacity for 7 strands of fibre. I assume it will be impossible to penetrate the BT bureaucracy but is there any way that I could get them to run a fibre strand for me to pre-empt my construction work which will be done in 6 months or so?

Thanks!