PON Areas

Something I learned from a FTTPOD survey: Openreach group premises into PON Areas which are all served from one splitter. Ours is about 60 addresses so a couple of fibre runs from the agg node. And if we go ahead with the order, the network will be built out to all 58 with CBTs in the access chambers and fibre available to order.

In reply to a post by Nick_W789:

Something I learned from a FTTPOD survey: Openreach group premises into PON Areas which are all served from one splitter. Ours is about 60 addresses so a couple of fibre runs from the agg node. And if we go ahead with the order, the network will be built out to all 58 with CBTs in the access chambers and fibre available to order.

A 60 address PON area is served by 2 splitters. Often in the same chamber.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

A 60 address PON area is served by 2 splitters. Often in the same chamber.

2 PLC splitters in one black splice tray holder (don’t know the proper name) is what I meant 😀

Not sure that’s correct, an FTTPoD order with provide potential service to those served by your existing copper DP, not the whole estate.

It’s not built to all premises, all premises are PLANNED but only your CBT will be built.

That was what I thought and I was trying to work out from the DPs serving the six properties in the linked order how many of the houses on the street would get service. I asked specifically and he showed me the plan with the PON area marked and said that all addresses would have network to the access chambers and service available.

There is a logic to this - it is a relatively new estate with ducts likely to be in good condition which for OR would be a simpler install, and it must be cheaper to build in one go rather than do part then have to come back and finish it off.

In reply to a post by Nick_W789:

Something I learned from a FTTPOD survey: Openreach group premises into PON Areas which are all served from one splitter. Ours is about 60 addresses so a couple of fibre runs from the agg node.

Just to clarify, that won't be "a couple of fibre runs" but a single cable containing multiple fibres, of which they'll splice two onto splitters and leave the rest as spares for future use.

It's interesting that OR have decided to fill out the whole area, presumably at their expense. 6 linked FTTPoD orders is quite large, so maybe it's being treated more like a CFP, with the remaining properties being OR's contribution.

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!

I am looking at whether we should be doing this as a CFP. I went down the FTTPOD route as I thought CFPs were for whole villages but the OR guy said they can be smaller, and it would get round the exorbitant first year monthly costs the FOD ISPs charge. We are aiming to cover the build cost with rural vouchers so it will come down to whether OR would do it as a CFP for a £9K contribution.

I did wonder why you didn't do CFP for this project. Have you had your FTTPoD quotation yet? If not, you might be able to squeeze in a request with CFP team. Having six subscribers already lined up is a good starting point.

FTTPoD orders are a pain to manage and I think the service providers earn their money. However with 6 subscribers on one linked order that adds up to a lot - if it's Cerberus then the premium over regular FTTP is (100-55)*12*6 = £3240+VAT.

You could try asking if they would negotiate a deal. For example, if they accepted to get the same premium as two FTTPoD orders, that could be shared out as a subscription of £70+VAT per month for all 6 users.

I’ve tried negotiating with Cerberus but didn’t get anywhere - for linked FOD they are the only show in town. No quote yet - I’ve registered on the CFP site and am waiting for them to get in touch.