FTTC Waiting List

Hi everyone,

I have recently moved into a new flat and it turns out there is a waiting list for FTTC in this postcode (CO4 5RY). I didn't even know this existed - and unfortunately the 4G here is not very good either, which is surprising because it's so close to the main train station in town.

The websites of the big internet providers (BT, sky, etc) act as if this area isn't served by fibre at all, and only offer ADSL2+. Some of the smaller ones (Freeola, IDNet, Vfast) claim that they can do FTTC or SOGEA - am I right in thinking that they're wrong and that they'd just cancel the order if I did make it?

Generally I'm just wondering the best way to proceed. Freeola is the only company that openly mentions the waiting list on their site - should I sign up with them for ADSL2+ and ask to be put on the waiting list? I'm just concerned that I won't have any way to verify that this has actually happened.

Alternatively, is it worth contacting building management? If there is an FTTB in place, is it possible that these sites are missing it? I am having to use my number and postcode for the check because I don't know the landline number, and plugging a phone into it just produces a flat tone.

Thanks for any tips!

Yes, they'll will most likely cancel the order.

As you've found, some ISPs use the FTTC waiting list process. Aquiss used to do so, but have currently suspended it - see their notice here and forum posting here.

In reply to a post by lukeh91:

plugging a phone into it just produces a flat tone.

Assuming it is an Openreach line, dial 17070 to get a robot speak the phone number back to you. (EDIT: depends whether "flat tone" means dialtone)

As for other fibre providers, try the Thinkbroadband availability checker.

Edited by candlerb (Mon 21-Feb-22 13:45:29)

I had good luck after taking Zen's advice. I was busy telling them what to do with ADSL, I said I'd use mobile until a FTTC slot became available. They said good luck with that but take ADSL meanwhile and we'll put you on the wait list. Within a couple of months they automatically upgraded me to FTTC.

So, my advice is talk to Zen. Not all ISPs know about the wait list. Many who do don't use it.

Thanks - in this case the flat tone is not a dial tone unfortunately, which I assume means the line is disconnected.

Great, thankyou. I will try talking to Zen and see what happens.

Hi, yes we support FTTC waiting lists. The order is placed with Openreach and can stay pending for up to 90 days. If they haven't increased capacity by then the order gets cancelled.
You can sign up to ADSL and then once live you can ask to regrade to FTTC via your account and the order will go on the waiting list if necessary. You wil see this as a pending connection in your account.
Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks - I have done exactly this. Fingers crossed for a short waiting list!

Luke

Looking at the Thinkbroadband maps: Colchester has some availability in different parts from County Broadband, Hyperoptic, OFNL, and some Openreach native FTTP. Hopefully one of those will cover you sooner or later.

If I select the "Altnet FTTP" layer it also shows dense coverage in the very centre of Colchester, but I cannot identify the provider even if I click on all the other layers.

Roughly how long ago was that? I think the Aquiss rep on here said a huge number of cabinets were now on the waiting list, and they weren't seeing any capacity expansion to fix it.

Another option is to register interest with Lilaconnect. They started their rollout in the south of the town and are now working in Wivenhoe. North of the station looks like an obvious location for them, there is a large gap in Virgin coverage which is why some FTTC cabinets are full.