CityFibre in Glasgow

I see the maps have been updated and a news story has appeared about CityFibre appearing in Glasgow. Well done whoever tipped TTB about this

One street which I find interesting is the west end of Chirnside Road. Last year Openreach's FTTP 'Fibre First' programme was rolling out across the Halfway exchange area. With a number of streets live, a lot in Chirnside were listed as "no plans" for FTTP. But CityFibre did list all the addresses as being in their plan. Then, what do you know, Openreach changed their minds and included the whole street which has now been live for a few months. Today the lucky folk who bide there have the choice of Openreach or CityFIbre based FTTP connections.

Meanwhile, a few miles further south there are a few streets just waiting (according to the roadworks websites) for CityFibre to come and add them to their network. But again, Openreach got there first. But only just after Virgin Media. So those double lucky folk will have a choice of Openreach, Virgin Media or CityFibre.

Meanwhile, halfway between those locations I'm stuck in FTTP no zone. The checkers say no plans from all three suppliers. Until CityFibre changed their mind and now maybe we'll be part of the "city wide" rollout one day, someday. And so, what do you know, Openreach now suggest we are part of their FTTP plans. Not that there are any signs of anything happening anytime soon.

So, having watched a Fibre First exchange - literally - being built all around me here's my observation. Openreach are opaque, we'll never know how or why they build certain areas or streets. But you can be pretty sure if any other infrastructure builder shows any interest, you'll be bumped up the list. No competition, no reason to spend the cash.

Openreach are opaque, we'll never know how or why they build certain areas or streets.

They are a commercial entity in a competitive market. They will release the information they feel gives them competitive advantage and withhold that which could cause competitive disadvantage. It's what all companies that want to survive do.

Looking at the CityFibre Map it looks like their Glasgow rollout covers a very large area.

The map shows a line between the Glasgow bit mentioned and the stuff further south, which I think means they are classed as different 'cities' in their rollout, which might explain the work in different areas at the same time.

Are you inside the area shown on the map for rollout? If so hopefully they will start building soon. My place is inside their build area for my city but at the moment it gives a not planned at the moment message on the website.

In reply to a post by Ad_G:

Are you inside the area shown on the map for rollout?

Yes! I'm in Glasgow City who did a multi-million pound deal with CF to connect all schools, libraries, council buildings etc. That was completed and then they started on residential streets. They appear to be building out from their spine network and starting in parts of the city before moving on. Currently they can be seen in the south west (where the first streets to go live are).

I'm quite far from any schools or council buildings, the spine doesn't pass nearby. That's why I think my street didn't appear on the CityFibre plans. But they are meant to be doing a "city wide" build so - who knows - maybe my bothering my local councillor got my street added. But I don't expect to be connected soon, even though they are building nearby.

The streets in the south (who will have three FTTP options) are also within Glasgow City. They're nearer to schools and a major GCC building so not far from the existing network.

The map you link shows not only Glasgow City but other local authority areas. Paisley in in Renfrewshire for example, also included are parts of East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire.