We don't know the precise timescale for certain, nor if the 12 month limit has indeed actually been breached.

agreed

if the delivery is within the 12 month cycle (normally early than that to allow the voucher claim) and the community chooses not to claim the voucher -- thats a mare for the communuty as its possible the community will have to fund the shortfall (dependant on the type of contract signed with communty)

The scheme is going to be within 12 months. We reached our target just before end of March 2021 and it will go live before March 2022.

We had to get 130% vouchers to cover the cost, so if there was drop out then Openreach weren't at risk. The community hasn't had to put any money towards the cost, it is all covered by the vouchers and as far as Im aware the risk is with Openreach.

My question really is, if I know this won't be live until January 2022 at the earliest, id be tempted to take a 12 month contract with the alternative network. Then at the end of the 12 months switch. But if by doing this I would make it so Openreach could no longer claim my voucher, I would wait.

I was told once the service is live, you have 24 months to swop to FTTP service provide using Openreach. Once you do this Openreach get the money released.

Edited by kingbiscit (Wed 08-Sep-21 11:58:38)

So its a "demand led" CFP, you will have already pledged your GBVS voucher via the following Openreach website

In reply to a post by dect:

So its a "demand led" CFP, you will have already pledged your GBVS voucher via the following Openreach website

Yes we have all already pledged our vouchers. But I believe Openreach don't receive the money until the person who pledged the voucher has activated a FTTP service via Openreach and they have 24 months to do it.

But my question is, if I do that within 24 months but before that get a FTTP from an alternative supplier would that invalidate the voucher? Hoping it doesnt?

In reply to a post by kingbiscit:

In reply to a post by dect:

So its a "demand led" CFP, you will have already pledged your GBVS voucher via the following Openreach website

Yes we have all already pledged our vouchers. But I believe Openreach don't receive the money until the person who pledged the voucher has activated a FTTP service via Openreach and they have 24 months to do it.

But my question is, if I do that within 24 months but before that get a FTTP from an alternative supplier would that invalidate the voucher? Hoping it doesnt?

Ultimately the party that is going to honour (or not) the redemption of the vouchers is the DCMS, and I think you would best be confirming this 100% with them to be certain.

Also as noted above, checking carefully any contractual T&Cs with Openreach, given that you have pledged them already - if you inadvertently breach any T&C's there could be a liability.

[Off topic but with my taxpayers hat on, the while thing to me is a bit nonsensical....given that public money is being used to effectively over-build a service. I understand that the OP is blameless in this, but it really is bonkers]

I found the T&Cs

https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/wp-content/upl...

I think safest will be to just wait for the Openreach service. Just frustrating you go to all the effort of gaining interest and getting it over the line and despite Openreach having a huge headstart an alternative supplier is going to beat them to it.

Of course, if the benefit to you of taking a faster service justifies it, then take both. You would probably end up paying for a 6 months overlap, which is a good time to evaluate which is better for you (and enjoy extra redundancy).

interesting view of the world

building a FTTP network is massively complex and depends on also what premises are covered and how far the network has to be extended from the nearest aggregation point, - what you might find is the alternative network provider (you dont say who that is interestingly or how it is being provided (or is it and apples to apples comparison) might actually be using some of the new network (via PIA) i would expect Openreach will be wanting to ensure your network is built in timely way for you to enable the vouchers --

normal build leadtimes from contract agreement to service ordering are in the region of 10 - 12 months (12 months contract allows build and then voucher claim as area ordwers) A of these bespoke jobs (which they are) have to be fitted into the Openreach Workstack

I do understand its complex. I'm just inpatient, but I will wait for Openreach to complete the network. It has to be before end of March 2022 so not to long now.