FTTP Install Questions

Hi all,

FTTP isn't available to our property just yet, but the fibre has been partially built (OR are saying that we should be able to order by the end of May).

Currently, our copper drop wire is buried underground (not in a duct). When the time comes, if we wanted the new fibre cable to go via a similar routing, what work would be required? Could it be installed with little digging (without digging up the driveway which the current copper wire goes under)? Or, would the new fibre cable have to go overhead?

Many thanks!

Will

Edited by Grimers (Thu 01-Apr-21 19:37:01)

Openreach doesn't, I believe, install fibre "direct in ground". If there isn't ducting, it will be an overhead feed.

Ah, I see. I wonder who did it many years ago then! Thanks for your reply 😊

For copper it was common.

My house, like yours, had direct-buried copper. When I was surveyed for FTTP on Demand, I was offered overhead or (for £5,000 extra) ducted. ( Amusingly, I paid the £5,000 extra for OR to dig ducts and they never did the digging - they fed the fibre overhead anyway and kept the money. )

They kept the money? What?! That's crazy! Well, I hope it was worth it!

Far more likely to have new duct put in .

Somehow forgot to reply to your post. Was this aimed at me or shortshrift27? Surely a new duct would require digging up the driveway (it is in between the DP and where the ONT would go)?

When I built my own house BT gave me the ducts and I put them in so a saving there.
Soon hoping to get our FTTP feed through them.

Gotcha, yeah I cannot see us having underground FTTP, I just hope they will give us the option to go overhead! Fingers crossed!

In reply to a post by Grimers:

Gotcha, yeah I cannot see us having underground FTTP, I just hope they will give us the option to go overhead! Fingers crossed!

If your street is all UG fed and there are no poles there, then you'll be fed UG and you will not have an option of overhead. They will not put a new pole in just because you don't want your drive dug up. The new duct doesn't have to follow the same route as the copper cable, if as you say the copper cable is under your drive, but you have a lawn next to the drive, then if possible the lawn is the route they'd choose for the new duct anyway, as it's far cheaper to dig through soft ground than tarmac or concrete etc.