Phone Line/Fibre Order delays... Why so long! :(

[#1]

Hello,
Just over six weeks ago I placed my order for plusnet fibre extra, as I was in a new build house I knew this might take longer than normal activations. However now I've been constantly getting texts saying 'phone line order delayed', and most recently about the next time we get in contact we can tell you how much external work needs to be carried out and how long this may potentially be.
How long does this normally take?
For every single update I have contacted plusnet, not the other way round. And most recently when I did call them up for an update, after it the agent had CANCELLED MY ORDER! No idea how he managed to do that when all I said was, please can you update me next week on the changes.
Argh!!!
Spent another hour on the phone to another agent trying to rectify it, thought I'd at least get some compensation for the mess up but no... But they managed to amalgamate my new order to my old order. So fingers crossed it won't affect the amount of work openreach have already done.
But I just want this to be over now... It's so frustrating not having internet . Why can't you get openreach to pull there finger out. I don't want to be waiting 6month for broadband :(.
Help!?

[#2]

Hi,
A warm welcome to the forums.  New builds and non-served premises are all too often problematic.  BTOR are a complete mess, accountable to no one and it appears no one can influence their performance - see here - http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,139693.0.html
Installing new infrastructure appears to be problematic.  In the case of new builds phone lines seem to be treated as an optional utility, unlike gas and power which the builder is obliged to 'lay on' as part of the build.  All too often the local access network (d-side) circuits are added as an after thought.  Even where they have been installed as part of the build, BTOR's provision of exchange side circuits (e-side) and capacity lags demand.
In such cases BTOR do cancel orders so that their provisioning stats do not look quite so bad in their performance reports to Ofcom.  It's called cooking the books.
You need to ask PlusNET what is the specific reason for the delayed provision: d-side circuit - wires (BTOR responsibility) or ducts (usually builder's responsibility); cabinet capacity; e-side circuits or exchange capacity.
In some areas new subscribers are having to wait for another subscriber to cease service to free up an e-side circuit.  In such situations a firm prod with a very sharp stick has resulted in BTOR getting their records updated and available lines being 'found'.
Direct complaints to other CEOs within the BT group can also be effective.

[#3]

Hi rmitchell88,
Welcome to the forums, sorry that it's under poor circumstances.

Quote from: rtmitchell88

Spent another hour on the phone to another agent trying to rectify it, thought I'd at least get some compensation for the mess up but no... But they managed to amalgamate my new order to my old order. So fingers crossed it won't affect the amount of work openreach have already done.

I actually did that myself after speaking with you on Twitter. This is clerical and genuinely hasn't jeopardised the time it should take to get you up and running. I understand that you have spoke with someone in provisioning today, and we've advised that there's a blocked duct in the build up to your property. I have to set expectations accordingly and say that whilst we'll keep chasing, it could be a good length of time before the issue is resolved.
Feel free to keep us updated on the status of your order, and hopefully it's resolved sooner than the advised date.
Matty

[#4]

Just an update on matters. Had a phone call as Matty said from Plusnet a couple of weeks back stating that that Openreacg has given an estimate of August 18th to have my matter resolved.... There's crossed.
However yesterday a utility company dug up the corner of the road where the duct was blocked, but had in fact cracked... They've now put in another one and now hopefully things might kick back into action.
Nearly been three month without wifi... How did they cope in the older days eh!

[#5]

That's good news, sounds like progress.
Just out of interest, any idea what the name of the utility company was?
Matty

[#6]

I think it was Aptus Utilities who's fault I think it was for the cracked piping in our development.
Also I think I'm due an update tomorrow on the order, so hopefully I'll find out if this is a tiny or big step towards finally enjoying my broadband.
Ross

[#7]

Quote from: Townman

Hi, A warm welcome to the forums.  New builds and non-served premises are all too often problematic.  BTOR are a complete mess, accountable to no one and it appears no one can influence their performance - see here - http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,139693.0.html Installing new infrastructure appears to be problematic.  In the case of new builds phone lines seem to be treated as an optional utility, unlike gas and power which the builder is obliged to 'lay on' as part of the build.  All too often the local access network (d-side) circuits are added as an after thought.  Even where they have been installed as part of the build, BTOR's provision of exchange side circuits (e-side) and capacity lags demand. In such cases BTOR do cancel orders so that their provisioning stats do not look quite so bad in their performance reports to Ofcom.  It's called cooking the books. You need to ask PlusNET what is the specific reason for the delayed provision: d-side circuit - wires (BTOR responsibility) or ducts (usually builder's responsibility); cabinet capacity; e-side circuits or exchange capacity. In some areas new subscribers are having to wait for another subscriber to cease service to free up an e-side circuit.  In such situations a firm prod with a very sharp stick has resulted in BTOR getting their records updated and available lines being 'found'. Direct complaints to other CEOs within the BT group can also be effective.

That is spot on and sums it just about up Townman
I worked for them for over 20 years and turned up many a time to a new build appointment to install a line knowing it was impossible to complete the job as there had been no provision/ plant installed, the only way you could provide it is if a pole DP was near with some spare routing and you had to physically install it all the way back to the exchange including the MDF jumpering and then ring routing and records so they could update the routing, it all took time and that's why other appointments are missed, the other utilities just connect to a main, where  telecoms require a individual route all the way back to the exchange,(before broadband it was a little easier you could share 2 lines using wb900 or dacs as this did not affect voice, but it still took extra time and was frustrating to the engineer because he knew appiontments would backup and the control would be ringing him to see why he was taking so long!)

[#8]

So today I was supposed to be updated on my current order but not heard anything yet ands it's 5:45pm so probably not happening.
I thought now my order is with the escalations team they would inform me a bit more urgently, if Matty is looking can you tell link:csa removed to update me please as he is the one dealing with my order.
Ross
adie:red csa removed as per link:rules

[#9]

The BT OPENREACH escalations team is over stretched at the moment...

[#10]

I'm talking about PLUSNET here...

[#11]

I understood that, however where does PlusNET esclations team esclate to?  BT Openreach's esclations team ... who at present are on something like a 1 week turnaround.

[#12]

Hi rtmitchell88,
I've just checked our suppliers systems and no updates are showing there meaning we need to give them a call.
FYI Mark doesn't have personal ownership of your query but the supplier team will be chasing this up soon for you.
Adam

[#13]

Hi Adam,
Well if your could that would be appreciated, I mentioned Mark just because everyone who I've spoke to at plusnet has given me different opinions but he was the one that actually said to me he would keep an eye on it, as it was now escalated.
The latest I am being told now as the entire street is now waiting to be activated by BT Openreach is that the developers have said there finished with all here work, but OR says it's not fully competed. And with this its horrifically hard for OR and the developers to have a simple conversation.
Also the problem is also there are two separate teams it seems, and ours is with new sites which seems to take a slow pace for responses.
I can see on roadworks.org that BT are installing 30m of poly duct near me, but I have no idea if this is to serve us.
How long could this take! It's depressing.

[#14]

The information you've found on roadworks.org seems to match up with our most recent update from our suppliers yesterday as it advises the work will be ongoing until 18/08/15.
Here are the notes from the Opennreach order tracker yesterday, following a call to them.

Quote

The order is with Lineplant Works Team on activity 10 for cable and jointing work. Latest update is: ECD (Estimated Completion Date): 18/08 . Please continue to monitor this activity on Order Tracker for updates and next review Order Tracker on 19/08/2015 .

I am sorry this is taking so long and I hope we can give you some better news on 19/08/15.

[#15]

So it seems are looking a bit better now nearly 3 months since I started my order...However I am getting my information now from my next door neighbour who is also going through the same problem as me.
Yesterday Openreach were "pumping" the lines through to the houses after the duct was successfully unblocked.
Once these become active how long does it normally take to get fibre sorted, do I have to wait for another engineer appointment to sort the openreach modem out?? If so that could be another 2 week wait just for that... sigh
Fingers crossed were into the final straight, i'll keep you posted. However it seems im getting more information from my next door neighbour rather than the escalations dept.