Cabinet waiting list for a couple of months now

Cabinet 3, Sandy (SMSA) exchange has been reporting a waiting list for a couple of months now. I am slightly concerned that my contract is coming to an end and there is no fibre availability and FTTP is not a priority for this little town. I'm sure I read somewhere that as FTTP is the preferred way to go now, OR won't be extending existing cabinets any more, or did I dream that? I don't really want to stay with my current provider, but it could be that is the only way to keep my faster speeds. I am wondering if any of the knowledgeable people on here would have any expansion information please?

Thank you

In reply to a post by Discus:

I'm sure I read somewhere that as FTTP is the preferred way to go now, OR won't be extending existing cabinets any more, or did I dream that?

You did read that.
Specifically that info was reported to these forums by Martin Pitt (owner of the ISP Aquiss). That's the response he was given by BT Wholesale when making FTTC capacity enquiries.
That's exactly what we are seeing, much less capacity upgrades.

In areas where FTTP is planned then they are unlikely to add additional capacity to the FTTC cabinet. The plan is for FTTP to take the capacity pressure off the cabinet.

They are still adding FTTC capacity in some areas that have no FTTP plans, though this kind of work has become less common particularly over the past 12-18 months.

The WFH boom saw a considerable rise in take up of fixed line broadband, putting many cabinets at capacity.

Edited by j0hn83 (Sun 26-Jun-22 21:19:53)

Bummer, I was hoping i'd have a shower in the morning and it would all have been a bad dream Thanks for replying though.

Discus

The OR FTTP rollout program shows Sandy as start 22/23 to complete 24/25 so there are plans.

Once any is live on your Cabinet it will clear the waiting list as people move to FTTP.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

Specifically that info was reported to these forums by Martin Pitt (owner of the ISP Aquiss).

Just to add, I last spoke to our BTW account manager on Wednesday and once again asked the position on this. The position has not changed, especially as in field data in the last few months shows this to be exactly what is happening from what they said. A circa 10% improvement in FTTC availability in areas where FTTP has taken off the cabinet pressure.

Thank you.

Thanks

A few weeks ago my Cabinet 20 Bishopsgate Exchange Central London was showing as "Waiting List".
Openreach website was showing as FTTC not available but plan for FTTC, lol.
It lasted around 5 days and suddenly it went back to Available!

Certain ISPs were showing as ADSL only available.

Not sure if this was technical as it resolved in a few days. Maybe Openreach prioritized greater importance to fix it. I'm not planned for FTTP from Openreach any time soon. But I know I'll get Community Fibre soon.

My contract with TalkTalk also came to an end paying £40 out of contract. But I'm just waiting for Community Fibre to come instead of tying myself into a new contract.

You can stick to your provider and see if it gets resolved. If your problem is price hikes, you can try to haggle your provider to drop the price down or offer you a new deal.

Some good news from Openreach.

"I’ve looked into your enquiry and the great news is that we will have some fantastic connectivity options for your home. I can see the equipment you’re connected to is getting an upgrade. This will give you the option of ordering fibre to the premises(FTTP).

Our engineering work is due to start the beginning of October 2022 and will take several months to complete. I’m sorry we can’t give you a more specific date at this time but once the work is completed you’ll be able to place an order with your chosen service provider. "

Looking forward to seeing what offers are out there

I’m on Cabinet 13 on the same exchange. The OR status has very recently gone from ‘just starting to build….’ to ‘no plans….’. I’m not sure who or what to believe with OR as they seem to change their mind over and over again. I’m pleased that it looks as if some of the town will get done at last.

My part is fully ducted but being a small Close may get bypassed. This area was way behind the rest of Sandy even with getting FTTC. Partly caused by it going to the BDUK later phases and partly by someone allegedly causing significant issues with granting a wayleaf, holding the area ‘to ransom’ over an unrelated issue

All go here now. Served by cabinet 3 for FTTC. Openrach engineer here today dropping in the new line ready for the Sky engineer to come on Wednesday and fit the ONT

In reply to a post by Discus:

All go here now. Served by cabinet 3 for FTTC. Openrach engineer here today dropping in the new line ready for the Sky engineer to come on Wednesday and fit the ONT

Excellent result!

Incidentally, the FTTP service doesn't touch the FTTC cabinet at all. The FTTP network could even go in a completely opposite direction, to a larger "handover" exchange, rather than towards your local telephone exchange.

Of course, as more people migrate to FTTP, it will free up ports on the cabinet that they were using before.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Incidentally, the FTTP service doesn't touch the FTTC cabinet at all. The FTTP network could even go in a completely opposite direction, to a larger "handover" exchange, rather than towards your local telephone exchange.

I realise that, I just mentioned it as a previous poster had said they were on cabinet 13 of the same exchange, so was giving them hope it would be just as soon for them.

Mr Openreach is a very pleasant Scottish engineer who has come down for 3 weeks to help out as the demand is so high locally apparently, although we are first in the street at the moment. He reckons seeing him running a new line will now prompt a flood of new connections in the street