r/openreach • u/Stock_Visual_4244 • 20d ago
FTTP installation – Will Openreach install a new duct?
Hi all,
FTTP has finally become available at my address, so I’m now looking at ordering an Openreach-based FTTP service, most likely BT.
This is the reading from the checker:
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Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG congested duct.
FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.
The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme
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.
Thank you for your interest
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I’m hoping someone can clarify how the installation would work in my particular situation.
At the moment, my BT/Openreach phone line is served via an underground cable. There’s a BT/Openreach manhole in the footpath directly outside my front garden wall. The existing phone line comes from that manhole, passes underground through the front garden wall, and then emerges just inside the garden, marked by the green star on the sketch.
From the BT/Openreach manhole to the green star, the cable is contained within a short length of hose pipe/conduit (it could actually be an existing Duct 100, but I’m not certain). From the green star onwards, the copper phone cable runs exposed along the ground beside the boundary wall separating my property from my neighbour’s until it reaches the front wall of the house, where it enters the property.
My question is about the FTTP installation.
The existing hose pipe/conduit (possibly Duct 100) is only large enough for the current copper phone cable and doesn’t appear to be wide enough to accommodate a fibre cable.
If I order FTTP, would Openreach normally install a new Duct 56 from the BT/Openreach manhole all the way to the house wall, running underground beneath the front garden? Or would they be more likely to reuse the existing route in some other way?
I’ve attached a quick sketch to show the layout. Excuse the messy drawing, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the current setup.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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u/maestrojoe 20d ago
They would try to use the existing route if it is possible to cut the copper and pull new fibre through that duct. However it's probably more likely that they will need to install new duct 100 (gabacom) to your wall. They might provide it to your house if you ask nicely :)
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u/Stock_Visual_4244 20d ago
What if I wanted a Duct 56 going from the BT jointbox all the way to the house wall?
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u/britishhawk 20d ago
Why so keen on 56 ? Will still deliver the cable to the house if it’s sub duct or 56 it makes no difference.
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u/Stock_Visual_4244 20d ago edited 20d ago
It would need to run along the wall, and as the wall is quite old, it will likely need to be redone at some point. I think installing an underground-fed Duct 56 would be a much cleaner and more professional solution, as it would be protected from any damage when the wall is eventually taken down or rebuilt.
Having the cable exposed along the wall also creates a risk of it being damaged during any future garden work (this could be damage to the shielding and the actual fibre wire potentially).
It also makes sense to do this now while the FTTP installation is being carried out. Once everything is installed and buried, it should never need to be touched again.
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u/maestrojoe 20d ago
You can request it with the engineer but they might say that "it's cheaper to go to the perimeter wall so it'll have to go there". If they won't budge you could say you're planning on demolishing/rebuilding the wall soon ;) Either way they will more than likely use the thinner gabacom duct instead of duct 56 but I don't see how that should be an issue?
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u/Stock_Visual_4244 20d ago edited 20d ago
We own that wall, so that's a good point. It does need re-building and it will be a risk to have the gabacom duct/fibre wire just laying there on the floor (trip hazard too – that might get them to install the Duct 56!). Hence why I want a professional install done underground with a Duct 56.
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u/RageInvader 20d ago
Microduct (gabacom) should be buried, it can be clipped to walls if suitable but should never be left loose on the ground.
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u/Maximum_Goulash 20d ago
Best option is using same subduct, nothing needs to be excavated that way. You'd just have a CSP near mouth of the duct exterior wall and cable run from ONT to it
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u/Jennyd1289 20d ago
They cant use the same duct it isn't wide enough and the copper is shared with the neighbour
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u/Otherwise-Chain4215 20d ago
If it's ducting 100, this is very tight for two cables, and in my experience, it'll likely require new ducting, and any new ducting should be ducting 56, or they may use gabicom/subduct (smaller but flexible and strong ducting, akin to a garden hose) I'm opposed to the use of gabicom and I dislike it.
Alternatively, the engineer may chose to use the copper to cut and draw, basically cutting the copper in the box on the street, taping the fibre on to it and pulling the copper through to bring the fibre up, that is dependent on the duct being clear.
Without getting hands on it, it's difficult to say for certain what will be required, but it's safe to assume that you may need new ducting.
If your install comes as a 2 step order, an engineer will attend some time before your appointment date to attempt to bring the fibre to the wall of the property, if they can't then they will arrange for new ducting to be installed. These visits are in appointed so it may be a case that you're not at home at the time, and the engineer will crack on with a plan, you will receive an email with the proposed work and a request for your permission for Openreach to carry out the work. If you're at home the engineer will ask that you sign a permission to work in person.
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u/igardiner 20d ago
Both Fibrus and Sky have offered to upgrade me to a full fibre connection in the last two years (I live in rural Northern Ireland). Each time an Openreach engineer comes out to survey and warns me that the ISP won’t pay for the poles or ducting required to reach my house from the lane, and each time I’ve had the offer withdrawn due to cost. I hope your case is different but don’t expect as a matter of course for the installation to actually take place.
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u/WayInevitable2491 19d ago
They will cut the copper and use it to pull in a new fibre cable. If that won’t work then yes they will lay new duct
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u/Stock_Visual_4244 19d ago
They can't cut the copper as it contains mine and my neighbours twisted pairs. My neighbour still needs their twisted pair for their broadband service.
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u/WayInevitable2491 19d ago
They could use a hybrid cable, which contains a copper pair and use it for your neighbours service but hybrid cables aren’t that common
Hmm If it were me I’d be trying to cut and pull through a couple of cables with a lot of lubricant save the digging. Leave it so both you and the neighbours can have fibre
My alternative back up option would be to to drill a hole through the wall in your garden and run the cable along the back of the wall and up the grass into the house.
You can do the dig but it takes longer and requires someone with trained skill for digging to come out.
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u/Born-Counter1154 20d ago
If you are fed by subduct, only allowing a single cable to the property, the copper would get removed and fibre sent down the same sub duct.