In reply to a post by candlerb:

One of the ISPs that *does* implement the waiting list is Aquiss.

We did...we have put the process on hold for now. The waiting list process only holds someone for a maximum of 3 months before they drop off. As presently, no cabinets we monitor have actually had a space well in excess of that (some are over 12 months now). It's a repeating cycle that's endless.

Do you get the impression that OR are prioritising FTTP builds over and above legacy expansion on FTTC. Or is it simply that they cannot cope with the surge in demand on FTTC ports over lockdown?

I have no insider knowledge but BT have a finite resource of engineering staff which they would presumably rather have deploying FTTP. FTTC expansion at this stage will probably never pay back (especially if it can't just be solved with line cards), chip shortages will be making things harder to get hold of, and there's zero regulatory pressure to do anything about it as long as USO obligations are being met.

Agreed. I wonder if the Huawei 30% estate limit is in any way at play in all of this too.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Do you get the impression that OR are prioritising FTTP builds over and above legacy expansion on FTTC. Or is it simply that they cannot cope with the surge in demand on FTTC ports over lockdown?

We have been told that no further FTTC expansion is being planned or done, the rollout has basically been concluded.

Everything is very much on FTTP now.

Thanks Martin. I had my suspicions something like this was at play.

I guess its pretty much "break-fix" territory for FTTC from here on in.

Or, more likely, waiting for Openreach to upgrade the cabinet.

Good, and so it should be. FTTP is the future, not FTTC!

When you think about it, FTTC is basically a "fix" to give faster speeds, but it's not a "solution", tbh...

I suspect the add-on pods may still be being installed if demand for expansion looks to be strong. It isn't really roll-out, and no major work required. Witchunt is usually spot-on.

The area may be well down the priority list for conversion to FTTP, and competition is intensifying.