Openreach FTTP

Openreach are rolling out FTTP in my area and many nearby addresses already have it available. If I use the online availability checker it appears I will be able to get it sometime between now and Dec 2026. Is there any way of getting a more accurate prediction? Lit Fibre can connect me now so it can't be an infrastructure problem preventing Openreach from giving a better idea of availabilty.

Lit Fibre is a completely different network and has no bearing on OpenReach availability (they may possibly use the same ducts/poles if Lit are using OpenReach PIA but otherwise every part of the solution is separate). Given they are there could mean that OpenReach would see it as a potential competitor that could lose them business so may mean that they would deploy sooner but your guess is as good as ours. BT won't publish detailed plans and even if they did those plans are subject to change.

You've asked about this before and the answers at the time explained how they are two separate networks

https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/fibre/f/4722533-li...

Do you need FTTP but don't want to use Lit for whatever reason?

I would prefer to use Openreach FTTP as it would probably give me a choice of ISPs. I mentioned Lit to demonstrate that the Openreach ducts and poles they are using show that there should be no problems with providing the physical connections to properties. I was just asking why Openreach can only say availability is now for some addresses or sometime in the next 3 years for others. If I knew it would be 1 year I would be happy to wait but not if is 3 years.

To answer your question

No, there are no official ways to get an accurate prediction. Your could try asking high level complaints but they are likely to give you the 2026 date as the design and build of your PON probably hasn't even got any further than the to do list.

In reply to a post by HughA:

I mentioned Lit to demonstrate that the Openreach ducts and poles they are using show that there should be no problems with providing the physical connections to properties.

Having Openreach Physical Infrastructure in place doesn't mean anything.... as it was put in most likely decades ago for copper. As in my town we have no sign of Openreach FTTP but there are two alternate networks whom are paying Openreach to put their fibre in the ducts and on poles. (similar to Lit in your area).

Our exchange showed the same, so I subscribed to the Openreach "keep me informed" system and also enquired by email. They were very helpful and told me when the build would be starting locally. I then followed https://bidb.uk/ to see what progress was being made.

Thanks, I will give that a try.

It can also change at any point. Fibre is being installed around me but Openreach took my street off their plan a couple of weeks ago. We’ve now no idea if it’s an error or genuine descoping. BIDB has also now changed to ‘unplanned’ status, so despite fibre all around, it doesn’t look as if Openreach will bother. We’re fully ducted with no known issues.

Edited by MercuryRH2 (Sat 04-Mar-23 12:58:51)

In reply to a post by MercuryRH2:

We’ve now no idea if it’s an error or genuine descoping.

As you say this can be very frustrating and can leave many in limbo and I feel for those affected.

The best advice I can give to anyone who has other full fibre options available is to go with the altnet as you can always switch at the next contract renewal if Openreach FTTP has become available but don't sit and wait as it may never arrive.