Broadband and TPON Phoneline. A Problem?

Hi, my brother is looking to upgrade to Broadband from dial-up. I have recommended Zen to him, but there is a problem. I've checked his phone number and postcode for him on Sam Knows and the Zen website, and they both say that his line is fibre-optic (TPON) and not copper.

From Zen:

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a line rate up to 512Kbps. However, due to the length of your line, an engineer visit may be required, who will, where possible, supply the broadband service. Our test also indicates that your line should be able to support a potential ADSL Max broadband line rate of 1.5Mbps or greater. The actual ADSL Max line rate supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use, after which time the highest stable rate possible will be set. If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed to confirm if your line is suitable for the service you wish to purchase. Thank you for your interest.
Note: Our records indicate that BT has supplied service to this number using a special fibre. This explains why the checker has returned this marginal result. If you still wish to order then please note the order will be delayed until a site survey has been carried out to see if service can be provided. You have a TPON line (Telecommunications over Passive Optical Network). You may be able to receive service subject to further checks and survey. Your order will be subject to survey to check the availability of copper wires in the area. This survey will also check that you are within the maximum reach of ADSL technology.


Has anyone else been in a similar situation with a TPON line? According to Sam Knows...
Congratulations, you are in a broadband enabled area.
However, this appears to be a fibre-optic or TPON line. Unfortunately xDSL cannot be installed on such lines. If you order xDSL, BT will attempt to find a spare copper line to replace your existing one.

The following services are available in your location:

BT Wholesale ADSL
BT Wholesale ADSL Max
Be LLU
Bulldog LLU
Easynet LLU (aka Sky Broadband)


Such a wide choice of services in his area (near Leicester), but apparently he can't make use of any of them??!! My brother is planning on ringing Zen tomorrow afternoon with the info I've given him. He really could do with Broadband, as he does a lot of his work at home on his laptop.


Thanks in advance for any more info.

As the notes say, it will require BT to utilise a copper overlay (basically to transfer his 'phone line over to a copper pair that runs parallel to the fibre).
TPON accounts for only a small fraction of 'phone connections in the UK, and not all TPON areas have copper overlay (or have spare capacity), but BT is gradually working through them (provided they're financially viable).

Fingers crossed that BT are able to transfer his phone line. I don't know why BT installed TPON in his area. He lives on a modern estate which was only built five years ago!

"He lives on a modern estate which was only built five years ago!"
Thats the reason why.

Does he live at Stretton Hall in Oadby?

Nope, at Thorpe Astley, near Braunstone.

It was one or the other.

Unfortunately I don't have first hand experience of Thorpe Astley so I can't comment, but at Stretton Hall there is a copper overlay available although I had to fight to get onto it when I lived there (mind you I was the first).

IIRC Thorpe Astley is a very long way from the exchange so you may be out of luck.

Have any of the neighbours got ADSL?

Hi, I've been hunting on the net and have found this info..

Some people have managed to get ADSL, then, but they probably live on different parts of the estate. Some also have NTL cable, but not on my brother's road.

Lol I moan about only having MaxDSL as a choice where I live (until Be* Unlimited LLU our exchange next Summer), but I now realise just how lucky I am!

TPON areas that are far from the exchange have their copper overlay done using thicker copper to partially compensate for the extra distance from the exchange.

Andrew.