Update 15/11/2017

Just been told cable shortage and need to wait till OR has the cables in stock

Oh dear me. Unlucky. Sorry to hear this.

I would have said is there a reason the contractors cant go back and get the right clamps and then resume work? seems very odd.

I did ask but I they said they need to order the parts etc.

I was looking at roadworks.org now and I noticed there are roadworks logged by BT from 18 Nov to 22 Nov on the street where my cabinet is.

The description is:

"Install 86m of 1 way poly duct in Footway "

Do you guys think that it's possible that work is for all my 18 blocked ducts or just the few where the icon of the roadworks is showing on the road on the map?

86m sounds like a lot but my entire run is 1km so maybe it is only for a few of the 18 blocked ducts.

Anyway at least progress seems to be happening.

30 November 2017: Update

Hi All,

I have another update on my installation. So OR arrived this morning this time with the correct clamps to run the fibre from the pole and into my house.

Again all the OR engineers were extremely friendly. They discussed the overhead path they would like to take the fibre to and I showed them where the cable needed to enter my house.

A hole was drilled through my external wall and they pushed the fibre through and have now left a long coil of fibre inside my cupboard. Another team will connect that fibre to a CSP and then an ONT all inside my cupboard.

They couldn't give me any updates on my 18 blocked ducts and Cerberus haven't had any updates either about that.

At least now I have something physical to look at to remind me that I will eventually get my fibre line.

As an FYI the fibre cable they ran also has a copper cable which gives you the option of running a copper tel line service with the fibre over the same physical cable.

Also OR are very reluctant to drill holes through your walls if there is any risk of breaking pipes etc. I had arranged for an air conditioning company who are fixing my air con unit which is in the exact same cupboard to drill the hole for them. OR ran the fibre neatly against the air conditioning pipes on the external wall.

Lastly I asked them to cut an existing copper cable that runs to my roof from the pole that is not used and they very nicely did that for me too without any complaints.

Here is a photo of the fibre coil that has been left in my cupboard:

https://anonimag.es/image/JT9zMj1

I'll keep you guys updated.

Edited by deleted (Thu 30-Nov-17 12:29:22)

Update: 10/12/2017

Sorry guys I haven't had a chance to update. Openreach finally managed to get hold of the cables, and the jointing was completed over a week ago. However they Engineer was trained to climb the pole and so another engineer will need to come out and do that final check.

I was told last week, the final stage of the install and the test from the pole should happen soon (hoping this week 11/12)

Update 12/12/2017

I just got a call from Openreach and now have a final install date of the 19th.

Something interesting that I noticed today was the BT wholesale checker now shows FTTP as available

https://gyazo.com/dd53afb0586da1b49c976cf973d4f9c0

What is more interesting is, if I check just using postcode and house number, my house always shows FTTP, but none of my neighbours come up as FTTP only FTTPoD. I am guessing that might change after February.

I used this checker: https://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/ADSLChecker.Addre...

Edited by Snake (Tue 12-Dec-17 11:39:35)

Hi Mumba,

Have you checked the bt wholesale checker or the ultrafast checker to see if your property is showing up as FTTP. Once all the fibre work is done this gets updated.

Hi Snake,

My number and post code are still only showing FTTPoD. It sounds like you are very close to going live. I'm really happy for you and of course jealous.

Unfortunately my order is being held up by the 18 blocked ducts. It seems movement is happening on 5 of those blocked ducts only. I have no idea when my line will go live. If I had to guess I would say mid to end Feb but that is based on nothing but gut feel and some wishful thinking.

I'm at the mercy of my council to approve all the works BT need to do and for BT to have the resources scheduled to carry them out.

At least I have my coil of fibre to look at every now and again when I feel like being cheered up.

I could send you an Ezee bend lead in cable - you can be doubly happy then