Basic fibre

[#1]

Hi there
I'm sure there are some experts on here who can help me understand this please.
Our basic broadband contract is at an end and we're interested in upgrading to fibre. Plusnet have told me they cannot do this as our property has FTTP. I've researched what this means, and what FTTC is, etc. But I'm still at a loss as to why we can't just have basic fibre. Plusnet have said we can either renew ADSL with them or get fibre elsewhere.
I've looked at another provider and switching to their basic fibre package, and the set up involves an engineer coming to the property to connect us, drilling a hole to bring cables in from outside. It doesn't say this is to complete the FTTP setup, but I'm assuming that is what it is. Even though that package would not be for superfast fibre.
Is it the case that if we want fibre, it's FTTP or nothing? I really don't understand why our current set up can't be used if we don't want FTTP.
Really hoping someone can explain this in plain English! Many thanks.

[#2]

@ajidwod For Community members to answer this, can you please enter your phone number into this site: BT Broadband . Paste a screenshot of the whole results page into your reply - ensuring that your phone number doesn't show, though.

[#3]

Wow, this looks more complicated than I thought. Thank you. Here's the screenshots.

[#4]

@ajidwod 

BT are phasing out FTTC in areas where FTTP is available, so your only choice is keep your ADSL connection or FTTP unless there is a cable option such as Virgin available to you. Or you can use the mobile phone network. As you say, this will mean a new ‘line’ which is the fibre feed being brought to your home.

 FTTP or using the mobile network is the future I’m afraid. It looks like that you probably can’t even transfer to another ISP’s ADSL service.

Plusnet will allegedly offer FTTP some time this year

[#5]

That looks like you are in an FTTP only area - which exchange are you on?

As it stands, you are not able to get FTTC from anyone - your only option, as you have been advised, is to stick with ADSL while ever it is available, or move to an ISP able to offer FTTP.

[#6]

@ajidwod  That confirms you are on a Fibre priority exchange so no change to your current Broadband can be ordered except for FTTP.  As Plusnet do not yet supply FTTP you will have to change to another supplier or stay on ADSL. If you move to BT or EE Plusnet can arrange this for you and you would not pay any early termination fees if they apply.

FTTP can provide a wide choice of speeds from 40/10 and 80/20 which are the same as FTTC speeds to  much higher Ultrafast speeds which as you would expect cost more. The lower speed ones are similar to FTTC prices.

If you want to change it has to arranged  by calling customer options on 0800 013 2632.

[#7]

@ajidwod 

What should also be mentioned you'd no longer have a landline phone as I would expect the copper phone line will be disconnected when you cutover to Full Fibre and you would be moved over to a digital phone connection.

Dan.

[#8]

Thanks everyone for your replies. So from what you've said, in summary - it's stay with ADSL and plusnet (am amazed we can't even switch to ADSL with another provider) or switch to FTTP with another ISP.

I have done an online comparison using our postcode and address, and Vodafone offer basic fibre at £20, but then as soon as I start placing the order it says about engineer needing to come round. The cost on the order doesn't change though (though I haven't completed it). I'm still a bit confused. Does that mean that Vodafone would charge for their £20 broadband but through an FTTP connection? I don't understand why the comparison sites all show options which it seems we can't have, even though they have full address to use.

Has anyone had FTTP fitted? How much disruption/damage is caused from the work? Don't like the idea of driveway being dug up.

[#9]

@ajidwod 

Yes this would be a new fibre installation. The visit would probably be to survey the property to work out how to connect you.There are several factors involved regarding installation, depending on your property. You can anticipate which route the fibre uses from your current copper connection. There will then be a hole drilled through your external wall and a ONT (Optical Network Terminator), which requires a mains connection. This is used instead of your BT Master socket and is mounted at the entry point.. External routes to your property include:

1. Overground from a local pole.

2. Underground through an existing phone duct that's clear..

3. Underground through an existing phone duct that's blocked and needs clearing.

4. Underground needing a trench to be dug and a duct installing.

One thing that I don't understand is what seems to me to be an obvious underground option. When we had a gas pipe installed the installers came along and 'moled' the gas pipe under the road and pavement to a trench they dug on the lawn. They then used the same technique to take the pipe to the meter location on the side of the property. I can see no reason why a phone duct could not be installed the same way. Unless of course they are now using this technique.

Does any-one know?

[#10]

@ajidwod 

The information on how you will be connected is slap bang in the centre of your second screenshot -

Single Dwelling Residential Unit OH Feed with no anticipated issues 

so it will come across to your house via an overhead cable from a pole.

[#11]

@ajidwod - you may also find this of interest:-

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2021/05/openreach-stops-selling-traditional-copper-phone-in-mi...

[#12]

@ajidwod 

As far as I know, ADSL is based on the copper phone network (PSTN) so when that goes, ADSL goes. Note the copper cable itself isn't going, just the PSTN equipment that runs the phones and ADSL (I think).

FTTC and FTTP are completely different products as the former uses the copper from your cabinet to supply the service whereas FTTP bypasses copper completely.

PlusNet are planning on introducing FTTP but have so far missed 3 informal deadlines - the latest is the second half of this year. I suspect the reason for the dealy is they're having trouble with the back office system that will be need to offer FTTP.

As to your property - if you order FTTP OpenReach will replace the overhead cable to your house. In the past they used a hybrid fibre / copper cable but I suspect now it's fibre only. This would mean if you want a phone service it would be via VOIP.

OR fit a box to the outside of your property and then bring it inside. They might be able to use the exisiting copper line entry point or drill a new hole. If the latter you might have a bit of leeway as to where it comes in. On the inside they fit an Optical Network Terminator (ONT). This needs to be near a power source.

Your router is connncted to the ONT via an ethernet cable so it can be where ever you want to run cable.

Brian

[#13]

@bmc, so I don't think ADSL will be going along with the POTS as such.  SOTAP is available (or soon to be available, I'm not sure if it's released yet), which is ADSL without a phone service, which is similar to SOGEA which is FTTC without the phone service.  I'm sure it's these two services (SOTAP and SOGEA) which will be used for the base connection for phone only services when the POTS service goes.  ie a very slow internet connection is established with the sole purpose of a VOIP service running on it.