Wot - no PCP?

Well there's a thing. It seems that cabinet 15 on the Brackley exchange has been removed. The FTTC cabinet is still there along with its sister but the original PCP has gone. There's just a 'keep clear' plastic fence around it.

How strange. Have they combined it with one of the FTTC cabs?

Edited by Andrue (Sun 05-Mar-17 15:54:02)

Unless one of them is an all in one, then this is not usually possible

Its sister? A second FTTC cabinet?

In reply to a post by Andrue:

Well there's a thing. It seems that cabinet 15 on the Brackley exchange has been removed. The FTTC cabinet is still there along with its sister but the original PCP has gone. There's just a 'keep clear' plastic fence around it.

How strange. Have they combined it with one of the FTTC cabs?

A lot get moved, round here there's many that have been. But always within 100m of their FTTC cab. Have you had a walk around the corner?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Its sister? A second FTTC cabinet?

Yup, a second FTTC cabinet was installed a couple of months ago- a meter from the original PCP. Now the original PCP has gone :-/

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0309077,-1.1608482...

Just got a collection of red plastic fence there..

Edited by Andrue (Sun 05-Mar-17 17:34:14)

Are you sure its a second FTTC cabinet ? And not a replacement PCP ?

The second FTTC (?) cabinet and the fencing:

https://goo.gl/photos/XJDp3ddiA4rGKT7YA

Inside the fencing (wot - no PCP?)

https://goo.gl/photos/wAnfFh5RyF8U5DPc6

There's some houses being built at the top of the estate but nothing around here. I don't understand why PCP 15 has changed.

Edited by Andrue (Sun 05-Mar-17 17:44:46)

In reply to a post by MC31:

Are you sure its a second FTTC cabinet ? And not a replacement PCP ?

Well - no. New houses are being built at Brackley but they are a kilometre away at the top of Pavillon's Way and out toward the A43..

There's nothing around here that I'm aware of. I assumed that the new cab was just to handle demand for FTTC.

The first of those two links is a modern PCP. See top middle, and the FTTCs to its right, below, and below right. All-in-ones I haven't got a picture of, but have vents.

The first image is the new PCP.

Fibre cabs tend not to have numbers on them.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The first of those two links is a modern PCP. See top middle, and the FTTCs to its right, below, and below right. All-in-ones I haven't got a picture of, but have vents.

Interesting. So..I wonder why they felt the need to add a new PCP? I'm not aware of any new properties being built or proposed to be built around the bottom of Pavillon's Way.

There is land available but it'd extend the Town boundary and would be quite a shock to everyone.

Edited by Andrue (Sun 05-Mar-17 18:00:16)

Usually for more space inside to allow for more tie pairs to the fibre cab, or indeed if there's new housign estates being built which will require more connections.

Could also be future proofing for G.fast.

Sometimes the old cabs get damaged and it makes sense to completely reshell them. Loads round here have been reshelled over the last 6 months.

Hmmm. I think I need to make some enquiries. There are vague plans for more houses to the west but I wasn't expecting them to be attached to our PCP.

Edited by Andrue (Sun 05-Mar-17 18:05:38)

The old one may have been totally decrepit, or short of space for more connections to the fibre cabinet. Or both, of course.

Given the larger size of moderne ones I imagine the location of the old one was deemed either not safe or too obtrusive in that position. Hence the relocation.

It looks to be at a roundabout. If any changes to the junction are being made that would also explain a move.

Looking at the original position of PCP 15, apart from age etc, it looks awkward to work on, in that recess.

I suggest that the new position is to make it more readily accessed, for the Link Cables to an FTTC when the latter is being installed; and subsequently as "random" orders come in for upgrades to VDSL over the months and years, requiring "frequent" access to the PCP compared to previously.

-----------

Not impressed by the quality of the "paint" used for the "15".

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

Not impressed by the quality of the "paint" used for the "15".

No, it appears to be running somewhat :-/

Looks like the FTTC cabinet across the junction in the later picture.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Looks like the FTTC cabinet across the junction in the later picture.

Yes, that was originally marked 'DSLAM' and appeared a month before FTTC became available. I assumed the new cabinet was to increase FTTC capacity.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

Not impressed by the quality of the "paint" used for the "15".

May just be that the number was painted on in the pouring rain.

In reply to a post by Andrue:

Yup, a second FTTC cabinet was installed a couple of months ago- a meter from the original PCP. Now the original PCP has gone :-/

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0309077,-1.1608482...

Just got a collection of red plastic fence there..

My first thought about the original PCP was that it would be a right pain to work on, and relatively dangerously placed. It seems that BT were either motivated by this, or because it wasn't large enough for a full set of tie pairs.

There's a more up to date picture (Sept 2016) from a different angle, where you can see them working on the move:
https://goo.gl/maps/Kh9htEihGhv

Edit:
Or from across the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/f2mTq8319tE2

Edited by deleted (Sun 05-Mar-17 20:50:24)

Yes, that's about when my line had an outage and for a week or so i was on reduced sync.I thought they were just a bit careless about setting up the new cabinet.

https://community.plus.net/t5/Fibre-Broadband/Has-so...

A minor point; but the new tarmac covering the trenching and ducting is about twice the width of that connecting my local FTTC-PCP, which is simply the usual Link Cables and the source Fibre.

The extra width may be because of the essential extensions to the original phone wiring, both D and E sides as the Link Cabling.

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

In reply to a post by Andrue:

Yup, a second FTTC cabinet was installed a couple of months ago- a meter from the original PCP. Now the original PCP has gone :-/

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0309077,-1.1608482...

Just got a collection of red plastic fence there..

My first thought about the original PCP was that it would be a right pain to work on, and relatively dangerously placed. It seems that BT were either motivated by this, or because it wasn't large enough for a full set of tie pairs.

There's a more up to date picture (Sept 2016) from a different angle, where you can see them working on the move:
https://goo.gl/maps/Kh9htEihGhv

Edit:
Or from across the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/f2mTq8319tE2

Looking at the state of the 'Town Centre' sign in those images, I'm not surprised they moved the PCP.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

A minor point; but the new tarmac covering the trenching and ducting is about twice the width of that connecting my local FTTC-PCP, which is simply the usual Link Cables and the source Fibre.

The extra width may be because of the essential extensions to the original phone wiring, both D and E sides as the Link Cabling.

That's possible I suppose. The new houses will be extending the outer edge of the town so maybe they intend to run new cables along the main road (away from the town centre). But I thought a school was going near the main road so I'd assume the telephone network would be extended from further north.

Meh.

Time will tell I suppose.

In reply to a post by Pendlemac:

Looking at the state of the 'Town Centre' sign in those images, I'm not surprised they moved the PCP.

Possibly a glancing blow at one point. The roundabout doesn't get much other than cars and light vans using it. If you follow the 'Town Centre' sign it becomes very narrow with parked cars making it single lane. And there's nothing but houses 'behind' that last image. HGVs use the main entrance off the A43. So it's a relatively safe place for a PCP. It's been there for 20 years. I think it was originally 3-way (town/out/my estate) but several years ago it became 4-way for the cluster of flats they built on a flood(*) plain

So it probably is openreach decided that some kind of network expansion is on the cards. Or more space needed for jumpering FTTC customers.

(*)Not to panic - it's guarded by a pumping station which, if I remember correctly, the planners noted 'Has only failed once in ten years'.

Edited by Andrue (Mon 06-Mar-17 11:50:38)

Hundreds of old PCPs like yours was have been re-shelled in situ since FTTC rollout started. Some before the FTTC cabinet was installed, some after.

Mine was identical to yours. FTTC for it went live in 2011 and it was only last year it was re-shelled. Yours may or may not have needed more internal space for whatever reason, or it may just have been moved for reasons already mentioned in the thread about difficult access and perhaps danger of being damaged. Is it possible it did get hit but was still able to function?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Is it possible it did get hit but was still able to function?

Possible I suppose but that's the way I leave my housing estate so I'd have expected to see some other damage at some point. Anyway it explains why there was a brief interruption to my service back in September. For the rest only openreach know, I suppose.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

What is the situation now at the location in your photo-

https://goo.gl/photos/wAnfFh5RyF8U5DPc6

I wonder what is now at the bottom of the rubble hole?

Any jointing boxes, ducts etc.?

Was the rubble removed?

Has it been filled level with the grass, using soil or such-like?

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

What is the situation now at the location in your photo-

That picture was taken the day I posted it. Presumably they'll be back this week to tidy up so I'll keep an eye on it and let you know.

I wonder what is now at the bottom of the rubble hole?

Most likely nothing but rubble

In reply to a post by Andrue:

Well there's a thing. It seems that cabinet 15 on the Brackley exchange has been removed. The FTTC cabinet is still there along with its sister but the original PCP has gone. There's just a 'keep clear' plastic fence around it.

How strange. Have they combined it with one of the FTTC cabs?

Photo?

Read the whole of the thread max .

Oh my goodness me, the FTTC cabinet has gone! Disappear! Why Openreach? What a waste of money to get rid of it.

P.S. I hope it didn't happen to my FTTC cabinet, if openreach removed it, then I can sued BT.

Read it ALL again!!

I refer you to this post...

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/general/t/4533924-r...

In the original link-
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0309077,-1.1608482...
there is clearly an FTTC cabinet, complete with vents.

You can move the viewing point to directly in front, making the vents very obvious.

Although similar, the new "Cab 15" has no vents, so appears to be a "simple" replacement for the original, recessed/sunken Cab 15.

I would be amazed if it is only rubble, as there would appear to be a need to maintain and add to the Links from the associated FTTC on the other side of the road junction, to accommodate both existing VDSL customers; and new ones in the future.

If it is "nothing but rubble", where has the Link Wiring and the D & E wiring got to; and also why the obvious trenching?

Been smoking again?

They've built a new Cabinet Cross Connection 7 at a new location because they can't reshell the old Cabinet Cross Connection 3 at the old location because it is well below ground level. This will be down to FTTC expansion rather than new build.

If it is "nothing but rubble", where has the Link Wiring and the D & E wiring got to; and also why the obvious trenching

All in the joint box

Where is the Joint Box?

Above ground, there are only the new PCP and the FTTC across the road junction readily visible.

The hole in the ground about 5 feet in front of the original cab location where the new duct goes to/from

Thanks!

I had not noted the lid on the U/G Chamber.

Looks like a mid-1980s variety.

And that end of the tarmacked trench does seem to point more towards it rather than the original PCP 15.

So the rubble in the old PCP location is of no consequence in terms of the new wiring/cabling arrangements.

Any idea of the sequencing and routing of the alterations so as to maintain service?

For example, would all the new cabling, D&E plus Links be from that U/G chamber to the new PCP 15; or would completely new Link Cables be run in from the FTTC across the road, if it had been connected/available before the change of PCP.

Trying to get a good idea of what is actually involved in what superficially may appear to be simple.

roadworks.org currently shows for 8/9th march...

Location: (PCP15) SIDE OF 2 FIELD VIEW ON, BANBURY ROAD
Description: Demolish 1 existing jointbox(s) or cabinet base(s)

In reply to a post by ggremlin:

roadworks.org currently shows for 8/9th march...

Location: (PCP15) SIDE OF 2 FIELD VIEW ON, BANBURY ROAD
Description: Demolish 1 existing jointbox(s) or cabinet base(s)

The plastic fencing has now been removed so I'll go and take a look at some point. Maybe they'll have left a tasteful flowerbed or attractive bush in its place

In reply to a post by Andrue:

The second FTTC (?) cabinet and the fencing:

https://goo.gl/photos/XJDp3ddiA4rGKT7YA

Inside the fencing (wot - no PCP?)

https://goo.gl/photos/wAnfFh5RyF8U5DPc6

There's some houses being built at the top of the estate but nothing around here. I don't understand why PCP 15 has changed.

What's the problem here? The cabinet has been moved from inside the fencing to where you see it in the second photo. Exactly what I said.

They would never just get rid of a cabinet, that would make no sense.

Also Andrue, you guys are lucky. In my borough they NEVER remove the old cabinet when they replace it with a newer one. It just sits there, empty inside near (or right next to) the old one. Fortunately I'm in a position to do something about it, when I'm aware of it anyway.

Edited by deleted (Tue 07-Mar-17 20:10:53)

In reply to a post by Icaras:

What's the problem here?

None whatsoever as far as I'm aware. Why - do you think there is one?

In reply to a post by Andrue:

In reply to a post by Icaras:

What's the problem here?

None whatsoever as far as I'm aware. Why - do you think there is one?

Well because the second photo actually shows the new cabinet location. Don't you work for an ISP or something, I would have thought you'd know what a BT cabinet looks like.

In reply to a post by Icaras:

In reply to a post by Andrue:

In reply to a post by Icaras:

What's the problem here?

None whatsoever as far as I'm aware. Why - do you think there is one?

Well because the second photo actually shows the new cabinet location. Don't you work for an ISP or something, I would have thought you'd know what a BT cabinet looks like.

No, I don't work for an ISP. I don't even work in the telecommunications industry. Never have done.

In reply to a post by Andrue:

In reply to a post by Icaras:

In reply to a post by Andrue:

... nested quotes trimmed ...

None whatsoever as far as I'm aware. Why - do you think there is one?

Well because the second photo actually shows the new cabinet location. Don't you work for an ISP or something, I would have thought you'd know what a BT cabinet looks like.

No, I don't work for an ISP. I don't even work in the telecommunications industry. Never have done.

Oh, sorry. I must have got you mixed up with someone else.

looks like they done a deload / reload and then provided a CC7 shell -- bigger pcp to cover expansion and additional tie cable