Speed Questions

[#1]

Hi,

Looking for some help, I am looking to rent a property in a relatively rural area in the next month or so and I'm having something of a panic about broadband speeds. I've looked at the BT wholesale checker and I've attached the results.

Am I being silly, but I would expect my estimated speeds to at least somewhat match those from the VDSL ranges? When I look at any packages, lets take PlusNet as an example:

2 - 5Mb

estimated download speed

• 0.8Mb minimum guaranteed speed
• 1Mb estimated upload speed

As someone who works from home, and will have x2 kids often streaming videos etc, this doesnt feel like it'll be enough!

[#2]

Keep checking this link - that 'waiting list' narrative for VDSL can change quite often, but only check when you have confirmed you are going to be moving.

At the moment, there is no spare capacity for a VDSL link.

[#3]

Hi John, thanks for the response.

Just so I understand, is it likely that there is not capacity for an additional line, despite it being capable at this exact moment in time or is this move of a waiting list for something physical to happen? 

I spoke to a neighbor in the road who suggested they get speeds of "17" which would be enough for me, but I'm concerned to the point I probably wouldnt move in if I was to get the speeds suggested before signing up - it just wouldn't work.

[#4]

I'm assuming the property you are thinking of moving to already has a phone service - do you know if they have an internet service and what type?

Basically, for a VDSL service, there has to be a spare 'port' in the fibre cabinet, and at the moment, there isn't one in yours.

The slower speed you are quoting is for ADSL, which is copper all the way from the exchange to the property, the faster one is over fibre cable to the cabinet port, and then then copper line from there to your property.

[#5]

Right OK, so I likely am looking at what, 1mbs down speed until that point?

It’s empty at the moment so assuming there is no active line, which means I’m at the mercy of someone nearby exiting the service?

Gut feel tells me this isn’t going to work out!

[#6]

@wills1988 

There may or may not be plans by OR to add an additional DSLM card to the cabinet to increase capacity - or it could be there is no space to add one.

Either way you can't order VDSL until a line is available.

You could check the following to see if there are any plans for FTTP in the area.

https://www.openreach.com/

Brian

[#7]

Yeah no plans, I’ve been in the general area for a few years and it doesn’t sound likely either!

Anyone have an idea of how common this is, and if so how long I could be waiting for a spot for VDSL?

[#8]

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@wills1988 wrote:
Right OK, so I likely am looking at what, 1mbs down speed until that point?

It’s empty at the moment so assuming there is no active line, which means I’m at the mercy of someone nearby exiting the service?

Gut feel tells me this isn’t going to work out!

---

Correct, although see @bmc 's response above.

[#9]

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@wills1988 wrote:
Yeah no plans, I’ve been in the general area for a few years and it doesn’t sound likely either!

Anyone have an idea of how common this is, and if so how long I could be waiting for a spot for VDSL?

---

Quite common, and the question is 'how long is a piece of string'? No-one can answer that.

[#10]

Trying now to imagine what life would be like with the minimum speed offered, pretty rough, right?

[#11]

True, but it is what it is - very little you can do about it. What is the mobile signal like - you could possibly use mobile broadband from (say) 'Three'.

[#12]

Feel like that would be a iffy solution, it's "close" to the edge of 4G however, but in practical terms I'm not sure how reliable that would be. I remember a bad experience with a 3G offering many years ago!!

[#13]

Does the Openreach USO of a minimum 10Mb come into play here ?

If there's not a decent 4g signal , then possibly, unless they can wriggle out on the basis that 'we can provide >10Mb' if only we had the capacity🙄

[#14]

@wills1988 

I believe you can ask OR if there are any plans to upgrade the cabinet or install FTTP via a form on their website. You might only get a "canned or generic" asnwer but it can't do any harm asking.

If mobile provides a short term solution you should get a landline installed with ADSL. It's quicker to upgrade than it is to place a new order. If a line opens up it's first come, first served.

Brian

[#15]

Thanks (BMC) and all. Have done some more digging and can see, obviously, quite a few people with similar. Positive news is people seem to get eventual joy by just checking the upgrade option on a near-daily basis. Might have to go with that, sadly!

If anyone else has similar experience, would love to hear it!