Financially pressuring existing customers to change to FTTP

[#1]

@Bella123 

what is the issue around new cables, there is no cost to you for FTTP service being provided.

@bmc 

Why would I want to do that? I'm trying to understand what the issue is migrating to Full Fibre.

[#2]

@Bella123 

A neighbour on the other side, switched to FTTP a few weeks ago and he told me his broadband service is no better than it was before the so called upgrade.

It depends on how you define 'better'

If you are close to the cabinet i.e your copper line is short, your existing FTTC connection very good, and you order a similar speed (Full Fibre 74) product, then there may well be little observed improvement. However an FTTP connection will not be affected by ageing copper cables in the future, whereas the FTTC connection will...

[#3]

@Bella123 

If I look at it from any ISP's viewpoint:

They could choose to offer SOGEA until such a time as that is withdrawn at some future date. This is increasingly unreliable, with spares being less available/second hand as infrastructure is removed. This will lead to the cost to the ISP increasing as maintenance costs escalate. Reliability problems also mean the ISP needs the necessary support services in place.

Alternatively, they could only offer FTTP, making the installation future proof. Installation costs, whilst inconvenient to the householder, is free. Once installed, the infrastructure maintenance costs are much reduced, resulting in reduced ISPs' support costs. Future costs to the ISP will not suffer the same escalating factors that will be required to support aging, obsolete, FTTC infrastructure.

This is ignoring the extra speed available from FTTP. Maybe not required now, but will in the future as both satellite and terrestrial TV services are shut down and transferred to streaming services in higher resolution.

From this viewpoint, why would any ISP offer SOGEA when FTTP is available?

[#4]

Hi @Bella123 

I am sorry to hear of your frustrations at the fact you feel pressured to subscribe to a service which you do not feel is beneficial to your needs. Openreach's obejctive is to ensure a large proportion is connected to the most modern and up to date technology i.e FTTP (full fibre) Given the ever evolving digital world and the demand for optimium broadband speeds, it is important such infrastructure work is carried out to ensure consumers get the best use out of the wide array of devices used in the home. The increase in costs are to ensure networks are maintained and improved upon. Moreover, inflation means all consumers will be subject to yearly increase in costs- these are outlined in any contract signed to ensure full transparency.

I can completely understand your dismay especially since we are living in a tough world from a economical stand point though ultimately these are unavoidable, ISPS subsidise costs passed on by suppliers to ensure the most competitive and affordable prices in the market are maintained.

I hope this helps to clear things up nevertheless if you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thanks

Lee

[#5]

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@molerat wrote:

What are you going to do when they turn off the copper ?  One day it is going to happen and if people won't switch voluntarily before then they won't be able to connect up all the properties to FTTP before it gets switched off.

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The copper network will be around for a decade or more yet - for FTTC. There is no prospect of FTTP enabling everywhere faster than that.

What is often confusingly talked about as the copper switch off is just the PSTN switch off - i.e. the analogue telephone system.