BT Infinity & FTTx Discussion

So I’m back onto Openreach after my VM introductory offer ended and their re-sign offers were derisory. A local company (Fibrus) are starting to lay cable in my area around Easter time so I took a 12 month Black Friday deal with Shell Energy.

Nope I didn’t know they did broadband either. And they don’t. It’s now run by Octopus Energy. Which is a TalkTalk reseller. Which is surprising as TalkTalk flat-out refuse to quote FTTP for many NI properties, including my own. In fact my dad had to switch from TalkTalk when he wanted to upgrade to FTTP.

Router is a Sagemcom WiFi 6 box. Nothing particularly special, but at least I could change its DNS for PiHole, unlike the VM box and my previous BT Homehub.
 
My Openreach estimate has now moved to Mar-2024, wouldn't be surprised if it's not in by then either. It was Mar-2023, then Sept-2023 (I thought it was actually going to happen here because there was lots of action around the cabinets), then Dec-2023 and now Mar-2024 :(. Glad I ignored their Dec-2023 estimate and went ahead with Starlink, at least now I have somewhat usable internet while waiting
 
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Their estimate was obviously wrong again, but in a good way this time because it's finally here :D

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Got to return the Starlink kit now
 
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Finally got FTTP in my area as well.

What are the current recommended ISP's to look it?

Im currently with Zen on VDSL but wish to move away from them as their customer service has gone downhill.
 
Reppyboyo said:
Finally got FTTP in my area as well.

What are the current recommended ISP's to look it?

Im currently with Zen on VDSL but wish to move away from them as their customer service has gone downhill.
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2nd vote for Aquiss. Openreach had some issues getting the line to us and Aquiss were brilliant at chasing them and keeping me up to date.
 
I've noticed the poles near by last few weeks having rolls of thick cables, now they added this does anyone what that is ? hoping its FTTP my contract with virgin expiring in april so would be nice to finally have other choices for fast speeds and try for better deals

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uscool said:
I've noticed the poles near by last few weeks having rolls of thick cables, now they added this does anyone what that is ? hoping its FTTP my contract with virgin expiring in april so would be nice to finally have other choices for fast speeds and try for better deals.
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Yes, is a fibre splitter/joiner used in FTTP connections.
 
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uscool said:
I've noticed the poles near by last few weeks having rolls of thick cables, now they added this does anyone what that is ? hoping its FTTP my contract with virgin expiring in april so would be nice to finally have other choices for fast speeds and try for better deals
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Welcome to the backwards world of FTTP where our overhead cables look more like a third world spiders web! We now have three different sets of these hanging from our poles Openreach/Virgin/city fibre? and it is a mess the shear weight of stuff has a couple of local poles leaning steadily further and further. Oh for the return of a national role out like the GPO so they could have ripped the copper out of the underground ducts and pulled the fibre through in it’s place as they went!
 
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Got my install date now. I thought they'd install it in the existing copper line location but apparently the Openreach engineers aren't allowed to go up ladders into a big, scary, fully boarded loft anymore (?), need to move it to the other elevation but then it has to be raised above a conservatory. Anyone know if Openreach bring all the necessary brackets for the incoming fibre wire to be raised up (i.e. BT bracket 32) or should I buy/fit it myself beforehand? Don't want to give them any excuses to leave without having it done :p
 
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Does it take a while for the upload speed to stabilise after a new Openreach/BT FTTP install, or have they forgotten to adjust the line profile on mine? Getting 800/20, hope it's just a mistake because the upload is what I needed, that's why I went with the 900/110 package :confused:
 
PaulM said:
Does it take a while for the upload speed to stabilise after a new Openreach/BT FTTP install, or have they forgotten to adjust the line profile on mine? Getting 800/20, hope it's just a mistake because the upload is what I needed, that's why I went with the 900/110 package :confused:
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I dont think it did with mine, I assume you are wired? What speed test are you running.
 
Thanks for the reply, I must have just been too impatient (tested it literally the second they left :p), it's working now.

Before upgrade (FTTC in remote area):

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After upgrade (FTTP):

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Now I can ditch the Hetzner dedi I used when I needed to do work that involved a lot of uploads. 900Mbps download is overkill for what I use, I'd have preferred a symmetric 250Mbps given the choice, but can't grumble with 930/110 after what I've been used to (had 4/1 until a few years ago) :D
 
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Randomly checked BT website today and found out that I could either upgrade to 150MB for free or pay £4 more for 500MB and they throw in a £75 gift card so obviously did the later. Install 1 March.
Didn't even know they were doing free upgrades.
 
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It costs them practically nothing, the valuable thing to them is having your guaranteed subscription for another 24 months.
 
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HEADRAT said:
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Hello Aquiss (FTTP) Look at that ping/latency, doesn't beat Virgin 1GigE raw download speed but hoping for a happier 'support' landscape too!
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Can't complain with Aquiss here either. I started the migration from the 330 package to 1000 package about 24 hours ago and it looks to have been activated already. Service so far in the last 8 months has been spot on.
 
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