Let's track my order together and see what happens

[#1]

With the way business is conducted these days, which is pretty shambolic, I thought I'd start a record of my experience with the hope that at least one request might go to plan....but I hold little hope lol.

So this starts Friday 21st Jan when I submit the order to upgrade from copper to fibre (fttp) and I've a provisional date of install of Friday 21st Feb PM.

Having read the OpenReach....'this is what happens' I thought I'd wait a few weeks to see what indeed 'does happen'

Now, I know I require fibre to be run from the cab to my house so come Monday 10th I call PlusNet and query how the engineer is going to install the box, etc when I've received no sniff of a communication, survey, etc to look at my block paving  (I know the location of the conduit/trunking is because It was uncovered summer '24 when my path was re-laid). All this was following those idiots at CityFibre who couldn't locate water in a running river!

I was advised by the PlusNet agent that yes, it's scheduled but I got the impression it was out of their control and frankly being fobbed off and from reading around OpenReach will probably cancel at the last minute to re-schedule. I will of course apologise in due course if any of my impressions are proven incorrect.

So I'm going to wait until Monday 17th Feb to see if any little fairies arrive and magically engineer a cable run.

[#2]

@sparkymarcopolo If your current feed is underground, as you suggest, it would be helpful to us if you could give sight of the full results from : https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL , or https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome , if you on SOGEA - in both cases, obscure personal details.

[#3]

but I got the impression it was out of their control 

@sparkymarcopolo in effect it is!. Its all under Openreachs control, only if they fail to meet the scheduled date can Plusnet get involved.

For information , there are three processes for an FTTP install and the information requested by @jab1 from the checker will state what is applicable in your case. They are:-

1-Stage - where Openreach expect to turn up on the day, run fibre from the DP, install a CSP and ONT and complete the installation.

2-Stage - where the first visit installs fibre from the DP and possibly the CSP. A second visit installs the ONT and completes the installation.

KCI2-Assure - this is where OR think there may be work required to route the fibre from the DP. An initial survey visit occurs (usually within a week of order) to assess the work required and plan it. Only then is a committed date given on which the install is completed.

[#4]

Here's my results, I used this link because I could not provide details for the other https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

[#5]

@MisterW which is great, it's a shame or should I be surprised that it doesn't match their own process of the installation stages.

[#6]

@sparkymarcopolo yours is shown as a 1-Stage install, which means that OR dont expect problems, and will turn up on the scheduled day and complete the install. You have a 2.5" Duct through which the existing line is routed, they will likely use the existing cable to pull the fibre through.

[#7]

@sparkymarcopolo  Looks good to me. A single stage installation with a 2.5 inch underground duct. Can't get much better than that, actually you can get the ultimate "Duct proven clear" in the text but as long as there is no major blockage or damage to the ducting you should be OK.😀

You need a confirmed date from Openreach, may be worth chasing Plusnet for this.

[#8]

This is what we came across about 12 inches from our front door. Look like BT originally when the other side of the door as there's an indicator or another conduit too

[#9]

@sparkymarcopolo 

It is out of PN's control. Once you received a confirmed install date the only thing PN do after this is to order up a Hub2 if you're getting a new router.

You don't hear from OR either unless there's a survey done as part of KCI2. All things being equal they turn up on the day and get the job done. You should get a phone call on the day to advise the expected time of arrival.

The fibre cable is run throught the duct to an (usually) external box called a Customer Splice Point (CSP). It then gets brought inside to the Optical Network Terminator (ONT) which requires power. There is a bit of leeway as to where this goes - you talk to the installer on the day. I would show him the picture you posted as it'll help.

Brian

[#10]

Might gave a problem then. OR expect that the ducting goes right up to the wall.

You will need to expose the end of the ducting. Will that mean lifting some paving blocks?

[#11]

@sparkymarcopolo  Where does the cable coming out of the duct go? Cables are not supposed to come out into the soil. Not sure what's happening on the other side of the door, what do you mean by an indicator? Could you post a photo?

[#12]

I thought that 'arrangement' looked a bit iffy too, @RealAleMadrid .

[#13]

The picture above showing the conduit and cable is what the paver came across last year, since then and what they advised, they've extended the conduit to the house where the existing cable enters the wall.

...and yes, there is now block paving installed, before it was paving slabs. I'm of the understanding that OR will access and put right anything they disturb.

[#14]

@sparkymarcopolo 

This does not look good.

This is a recent installation:

Note the bung stopping soil etc. entering the duct. If this is missing the duct might well be blocked.

I would prepare for the installation to be postponed until a different 'dig team' have come and cleared (if required) and completed the duct installation. Just make the installation technician aware of the situation before your existing service is removed.

[#15]

@sparkymarcopolo  So you are saying that the duct (conduit) in your photo now reaches the house wall. In that case providing it is clear of soil or debris there should be no problem getting the fibre connection installed.