FTTP order placed, not sure it will be viable for install...

I'm trying to get FTTP on a community allotment. The site office is at the back corner to where the pole is (the pole is actually in our grounds). I've placed an order for FTTP and it has a committed date, but I'm worried they will turn up and just say "no".

Below is the site. The pole (FTTP enabled with spare CBT ports) is bottom right. The site office is top left. There is also another FTTP pole on the right, which is a slightly shorter distance but a tree potentially in the way.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k-OPml4cT4gc0nLPiss...

Below is a street view, you can see the pole in the grounds, and the site office is just beyond the greenhouse you can see far left.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CZicgj3n-S4ZFr1Pt3R...

The distance from the pole in the grounds to the site office is around 58m, and from the pole outside to the site office is around 48m. The site office is around 2.5m in height where it would anchor to. I could put a pole up to get it higher if required as I am mounting an outdoor AP at around 3.5m height also.

Does anyone have any experience on this and if I can help prep the install in any way?

Thanks!

Edited by jamestbb (Tue 15-Sep-26 21:56:58)

Ooof! Purely on distance alone you should sneak under the maximum for a drop cable from that pole to the site office.

However the serving pole will need to be up to the task, and I think you'll need more height (with good anchoring) at the site office end which may be the thing that scuppers the plan...it's a close call.

Edited by Pheasant (Tue 15-Sep-26 21:47:17)

Is there a "maximum" and how is it defined? Is 2.5m height at the site office suitable or does it need to be higher?

68 metres is the nominal maximum span from pole to a premises I believe.

Height is more about clearance, especially carriageways - though you're not crossing any carriageways per se, but you really don't want that fibre low - or able to be accidentally snagged by any other vehicles etc moving about the plot in future. 2.5 metres at one end, over that span seems a bit low to me.

Edit: looking at your site photo, the run may miss the driveway /parking hatched area. So could be OK. Just make sure no one is carrying a long ladder over their shoulder near the site office 😂

Edited by Pheasant (Tue 15-Sep-26 22:08:04)

2.5m is unacceptably low … but is on private(maybe) land, so *might* be OK.

The span that crosses the road would be a big no-no, 4.9m (I think, the brain is dulling) or above is what is required over the road. No installer in their right mind would attach to some random item you suggest they use .

Getting cables through trees is very common practice , and often easier done than one might think.

The service will be planned to use a specific CBT .. and that is where it should be supplied from .

Is there anything I can do pre-install to help? I am planning to install a metal pole on the side of the cabin to install an outdoor AP at around 3.5m height - could/would they utilise this also?

What are the other options? Install another pole near the site office? Run the cable along the fencing?

Edited by jamestbb (Tue 15-Sep-26 22:12:35)

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

The span that crosses the road would be a big no-no, 4.9m (I think, the brain is dulling) or above is what is required over the road.

Think it's higher than that Zarjaz, like 5.9m over a carriageway. Private land is another matter.

In reply to a post by jamestbb:

The pole (FTTP enabled with spare CBT ports) is bottom right. The site office is top left. There is also another FTTP pole on the right, which is a slightly shorter distance but a tree potentially in the way.

Sorry I completely missed this bit.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

The service will be planned to use a specific CBT .. and that is where it should be supplied from .

...and Zarjaz is 100% correct - only Openreach will know which of the two CBTs your connection will be from. Its one or the other not an either or job.

So until that's determined you may be slightly second guessing yourself as to the route.

If it was me, I would wait and see and discuss with them. If the worst comes to the worst and they can't install on the day, it will need to be re-scheduled, but you'll know the actual route they want to take etc.

You'll be fine, worse case they drop another pole in somewhere on the allotment site. You have a UPRN, it let you order, let the process work its way through. Brace for a delay though but there's no reason that order should be cancelled.

Is a new pole chargeable or do Openreach facilitate this at their own cost if it's the only way to provide service?

What if it's a contractor (Kelly's/M.J.Q), can they still refer this back for extra work/help?