Exchange market rating

I know there are exchange markets 1,2 and 3, how do I determine which ours is and what do the ratings mean to ISPs?

The normal way is to check with samknows. Most of the time it is correct, but can sometimes be slow updating its list of LLU suppliers. The Market Classification is below the LLU list.

Market status is specified by Ofcom. The 1 2, 3 classifications date from Decemnber 2010 and were largely based on the number of LLU + VM Cable suppliers at each exchange. As further LLU suppliers arrived at an exchange the market classification did/does not change.

ISPs have the list. The only one I know of that takes any notice of them from the customer point of view is Plusnet, who give a discount at M2 and M3 ones.

These classifications were replaced earlier this year. We now have Market A and Market B. I thought I had the new list, but cannot find it at the moment. I think Plusnet still use the 1/2/3 list for their discounting.

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 14-Dec-14 20:07:59)

I was not aware of the new classification being implemented yet. My exchange is still listed as Market 1 everywhere, though I was thinking time was running out for this year.

"Everywhere"? Other than samknows and Plusnet? (Plusnet at one time having a provisional A/B classification).

I'm currently perusing the January 2014 "Further consultation, and do have a 2014 list of the proposed reclassifications. Responses required by 10 March 2014.

Where things are up to I have yet to discover.

Samknows which is as good a guide as any, plus the coming soon icon which states means within the next six months has been showing for longer than that, so that is still the indicated target. Still trying to sort the line here after finding my new MK3 VDSL faceplate faulty.

I have now got what seems to be the latest (2014) Ofcom proposal for the changes from M1/2/3/ to MA/B. Excel spreadsheet.

Thanks for the replies.
Reason I as is i known it can be a pricing issue, especially for Plusnet who I am considering joining as they still use the 1,2 and 3 market designations for discount levels.
Our exchange has under 1000 subscribers so no plusnet discount.
Saying that, Plusnet non fibre is only £10 pm with low price anytime calls and low line rental if paid in upfront sum.
Seems market rating is not overly influenced by amount of providers using the exchange as much as subscriber levels.
Well at least our exchange is unbundled now, and there will no no contention issues around here with only 250 houses for the cabinet to deal with.

The M1/2/3 was determined entirely on existing or soon-expected non-BT Wholesale providers at the time, (late 2010). The number of subscribers was not a direct factor.

Which exchange is it?

Wootton North Lincs

Nope, I'm stuck.

When you say "unbundled", that normally means you now have an LLU provider. Do you mean FTTC enabled?

Re the Market Class, its provisional regrade is to Market A.

The exchange is now FTTC enabled and cabinet is in place Small village so just one cab.
Up to last week the exchange was limited to BT only as a provider. Just ADSL derivatives.
It is now open to other providers. Some can see the VDSL capability some providers cannot
Sam knows had no update so I have made them aware and they are now acting to update their database accordingly.
Openreach "Where and when " still shows our status as "Coming soon" although BT wholesale gave me an estimated throughput of 81MBs.
Hope this clarifies things.

In reply to a post by stree:

BT wholesale gave me an estimated throughput of 81MBs.

That's an interesting estimate given the maximum is 80

For FTTC BT Wholesale, Sky and TalkTalk each have to have a GEA link cable installed at the exchange.

BT Wholesale are normally first, meaning the majority of ISPs can order FTTC. Sky and TalkTalk can be a bit later. That may explain why some ISPs may not offer you FTTC yet.

Thanks for research: Currently no other providers seem aware of the VDSL status unless prompted to explore the situation. It is probably too early, although the whole game is supposedly super quick information it seems woefully slow to get these updates in place.
Re: the 81MBs as remarked on by Batboy.... I can only quote what the BT employee told me when see ing what speeds I might get. He thought it high but there are only 250 houses on this cabinet ( if they are all connected) and this is consists of many retirement homes and I suspect the uptake of FTTC will be minimal.
So the contention ratio is very favourable. Also, the lines to my house were all replaced and upgraded last year in preparation for vectoring. I have also taken advice from this site and others on optimising my house wiring thoroughly, so the high figure is not that improbable.

The reason for the improbability is that BT actually limit all FTTC connections to a max of 80Mb/s. The line may well be capable of doing more but BT will not allow it to sync above that maximum rate (at least not at the moment).