House Move - Queries

[#1]

We are due to exchange contracts on a house move shortly - we don't yet have an agreed completion date.  I have some queries - all advice gratefully received:

1. In the Moving Home section, PN advise that customers give 4 weeks' notice to switch over the service.  We are very unlikely to be able to do this; other parties in the chain are pushing for the shortest gap possible between exchange and completion so we are likely only to have 2, or at most 3, weeks advance notice of our moving date.  Is this likely to be an issue?

2. Possibly linked to this - we have FTTP at our current house; the house we are moving to is in a FTTP road but doesn't itself have FTTP.  Will PN/Openreach be able to set us up with a FTTP service from the outset or will we have to start out with FTTC and then upgrade?

3. I understand that we have to take out a new contract when moving, or otherwise pay a fee.  We are only 4.5 months from the end of our current deal so normally (if not moving) I would be shopping around for a better deal as a new customer.  Plus the new house has a cable connection, so depending on the answer to Qs 1 & 2 we might be better off cancelling PN and taking out a new service at the new house (probably cable, with Virgin) which is ready to go from day one and cheaper, unless PN are prepared to offer a good deal on the new contract and can switch us over in time.  But if we cancel our existing service when we move, my understanding is that our buyers will have to wait 10 days before they can take out a broadband service.  Have I go this right or missed anything?

Thanks for reading and any advice people can provide!

[#2]

the house we are moving to is in a FTTP road but doesn't itself have FTTP.

@Adrian72 just to confirm, does the address show on the BT wholesale checker https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome as having WBC FTTP available ?

and if so, what does the narrative below the availability results say ?

[#3]

Hi

Yes it confirms FTTP is available. 

I have copied the narrative below:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed alternate L2C solution required.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

As a fibre priority exchange, FTTP has priority over other products if available at the address

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

[#4]

@Adrian72 in that case, Plusnet should be able to order an FTTP connection to the new property, there's no need for FTTC first. In fact , since its an FTTP priority exchange ONLY FTTP can be ordered.

As there's no ONT , the installation will require an Openreach visit to install FTTP and so the minimum lead time is likely 2 weeks from order. The 'alternate L2C solution required' is slightly disturbing, as it means the install is possibly not as straightforward as it might be.  Given it's an O/H feed, is it not possible to use ladders for some reason ?

In the availability checker, what does the 'Install process' column say for WBC FTTP  ? its usually 1 or 2 Stage or possibly KCI2 Assure 

[#5]

@MisterW thank you for your help, that's really useful.  The Install Process column says 1 stage.  I did wonder about the alternate solution point.  I don't know for sure of course but I can't see any reason why a ladder can't be used - it is a bog standard 1930s detached house with no unusual features and plenty of room at the front to position a ladder.  The house next door is identical and they have FTTP with an O/H feed so I can only assume it can be done!

[#6]

@Adrian72  It's good news that its a 1 stage install, means they (openreach) expect the installation engineer to complete external & internal work at the same time.

'elf & safety' requires that any ladders must be temporarily secured to the building, is that an issue ? e.g render which would be difficult to repair.

Is there currently a copper wire installed ?

[#7]

There's no render.  There is a copper wire that comes in at front top corner of the house, which due to the overhang of the roof is quite a distance from the walls and is literally right at the corner (whereas next door the cable comes in to the middle of the house);  there's also flat roof garage adjoining at the side.  So I wonder if it's an issue as to where a ladder could be positioned so as to access the cable "entry point" (I'm sure that's not the right terminology!).

[#8]

@Adrian72 

As regards to the install I suspect it's one of those you'll only find out on the day. I would suspect access over the garage may be the issue. Easily solved on the day possibly but the people who install the backbone network report any potential problem they see for house installs. Likewise, the position of the internal ONT. If you'd prefer a different location from the current Master Socket this may be possible but you just don't know.

Have you spoken to the PN House Move Team? I wonder if there might be a problem placing the order for FTTP before you take possession in that the previous owner will have a line registered to that property.

Brian

[#9]

@Adrian72 with an O/H install, the fibre is normally secured initially to the eaves and then run down the front of the house to the CSP (grey box) at ground level.  Typically the ONT is preferred to be on the internal wall opposite where the CSP is located.

As @bmc says , there's some leeway as to your preferred location

Have you spoken to the PN House Move Team? I wonder if there might be a problem placing the order for FTTP before you take possession in that the previous owner will have a line registered to that property.

It shouldn't be a problem with FTTP. Its likely that the current owner will cease the copper connection and, whilst that would normally prevent an order for a new copper based service, it shouldn't prevent an FTTP order since its not linked to the existing service in any way.

[#10]

@bmc 

Thank you Brian for your really helpful advice.  The current BT Master Socket is part way up the stairs under a window, which is a short cable run from where the copper wire hits the house - not an ideal location for the ONT - hopefully I will be able to agree a better location on the day involving some external cabling.

I haven't yet spoken to the House Move Team. The previous owners moved out over a year ago and the house has been unoccupied since then, so my assumption is there is no currently active line. 

Adrian

[#11]

@Adrian72 

When the fibre reaches your house it is brought down to ground level to a Customer Splice Point (CSP - an external box). It is then brought into the property to the ONT - this must be near a power socket. Have a look / think about which room you you'd like the ONT - it probably has to be on one of the two walls where the cable is attached to the corner of the house. Unfortunately you'll not know for sure until the day of install so also think about a backup location.

If I house has been vacant for over a year I'm guessing re-decoration will be under consideration. If so, think about your internet needs and whether you'd like to run ethernet to provid a solid starting point in which ever room you terminate the cable(s).

I would still phone the House team just to make certain an order can be placed. As you need to be there for access then you must ensure the offered install date is after you have the keys. Once you have a date phone in asap to get things moving.

Brian