That sounds like a typical hash.... though would also be interested in more details. If say the 18 properties are spread over 3 miles through the New Forest it's more understandable than if it's a typical suburban close of semis and detached properties over the length of say 200m, all ducted. And the road isn't private. Etc.
It is the New Forest, private road, one duct(known to me) and the rest overhead cabling

. But not 3 miles but about 400 to 800m adjoining roads either side.
The HCC Superfast Broadband site should tell you for your property if you're due to get a fibre service or not though. It does seem to give specific answers for each property. Have you looked all 18 properties up to see if you different answers for any? Obviously whatever the site says doesn't give any guarantee but it's a good indicator.
For FTTC they have been very open about which properties will get that. We had fttc back in 2015, but with our cab, the bulk of properties connected would receive sub 24mbits, which they did.
For FTTP, they are only releasing post code information, with mine being partial (on a post code of 18 houses). I should be ok as i'm about 2 poles from the copper dp, the sensible thing to do, is move the cbt forward a pole or two so that they can cover the 3 or 4 houses that will miss coverage.
The fttp has been delayed by at least a year, they already put a joint box in last august for the fibre, and the first signs of fibre cable on the poles happened in the last two weeks. roadworks.org showed work to be done at main road for September to only be pushed back to Oct.
The complications was always in the detail.
Edited by Taras (Sat 15-Sep-18 09:47:04)