Safeguarding static IP during upgrade from FTTC

[#1]

Now I'm just hoping and praying for ducting! We're in a relatively new build (2011) with underground line and block paving over the top. Fingers crossed for a straightforward job.

@BarnsleyChop what does the BTwholesale checker say for your address, particularly the 'Install process' column for FTTP and the narrative below the availability table ?

[#2]

@MisterW it shows 'available' and the install process is '1 stage.'
The narrative says, 'Single dwelling unit residental UG congested duct'

The word 'duct' is reassuring, 'congested' not so much. If they can make it to the doorstep without digging then the rest couldn't be easier. The grey trunking on the wall connects straight through the wall into our internal garage and that's where the old modem is situated.

OR already texted confirming the install appt. so it looks promising so far!

[#3]

@BarnsleyChop the '1 stage' means that they (Openreach) expect to complete the install in one visit.

The 'congested duct' is not good, the fact that it actually says that means that they checked when installing the infrastructure and discovered it blocked! If they cant pull the fibre through on install day,  they may need to request a dig team to replace the duct, which will delay the install!

The grey trunking on the wall connects straight through the wall into our internal garage and that's where the old modem is situated. 

Do you want the ONT in the same place ?

[#4]

@BarnsleyChop 

While it didn't say "blocked" I suspect they tried to rod the duct to leave a draw rope in place and found it "congested" It would not have been in their workscope to try and force the issue in case of damaging existing cables. That, and as explained to me when my network was being installed, it doesn't become a problem until a customer places an order.

You will only find out on the day if there is an issue.

There is a certain lee way as to where the ONT goes if you want to change location. Remember also the router connects via ethernet cable so doesn't have to be in the same location.

Brian

Brian

[#5]

@MisterW thanks for the heads-up!

I'm worried about what will happen if they decide they need to dig up the street outside our house, because it's block paved and wouldn't be cheap or easy to make good. Would be gutted if they were to turn around and say we can't have it.

Yeah the ONT in the garage works fine for me. I've got my own switch, firewall and home network to take over from there.

[#6]

Would be gutted if they were to turn around and say we can't have it.

That's very unlikely. The worst case is that the install may be delayed due to needing to dig to replace the duct.

[#7]

OK, thanks, that's reassuring.

I've waited long years for availability of any full fibre service (we've never had access to Virgin) so a delay isn't a problem for me, as long as they bring it in the end!

It's the extra UL bandwidth that I really crave - just another 10-20Mbps would make a world of difference when dialled in through my road warrior VPN.

[#8]

If you are 'handy' have a look at the ducting and see if you can see if there is any movement in the existing cable going through the ducting.
Friend requested Full fibre but their existing ISP said no way, blocked ducting, we gave a look and could easily see that the existing cable was free and moving at both ends. They placed an order with PlusNet and 2 weeks later had FTTP up and running.

[#9]

@mystreet1 to be fair to them, there's been no opposition at all with regards to the congested duct issue and nobody has even mentioned it. PN booked the appointment without hesitation and OR confirmed within the hour, so someone should definitely be coming to have a go at it.
I served my time as an electrician so I do have some relevant experience, but it's not my business to tell them how to do their job. When the day comes I'll be watching from a respectful distance and trying my best to be helpful without interferring.

[#10]

@BarnsleyChop 

I suspect it's not a major problem because if it was then it would have been flagged KCI2 which usually requires a survey prior to install.

If they had to, I suspect the coud try to pull the fibre through using the existing copper wire as the "pull" rope. Remove and replace to get past the congestion. Mind you if this failed then you'd lose your current connection.

Do let us know how it goes on the day.

Brian

[#11]

@bmc yeah that would be my approach, but I would pull the copper back away from my house first with a draw wire attached, leaving myself the option to abort and pull the copper back in if it went tight. Even then, it's still a point of no return once the copper is all the way out back to the inspection point. I'm sure whoever comes will have the experience to judge how far they can push it without too much risk - these guys are doing the task day in, day out.