Can I get FTTC or not?

DragonQ · 15 Feb 2016 at 23:06

Using the post code of my soon-to-be new address, Sam Knows, DSL Checker and BT all reckon I can get 80 Mb/s FTTC. However, when I put in the property's current phone number, they all say different things. BT says I can get ~60 Mb/s FTTC, DSL Checker doesn't recognise the phone number at all, and Sam Knows says FTTC isn't available.

Which is correct, the phone number or post code search? And which checker is more reliable?

bremen1874 · 15 Feb 2016 at 23:15

BT's answer should be accurate for a phone number check, it's their kit it'll be running on. A phone number check should always be the most accurate way of checking.

If you've completed it's obviously a moot point. If not, and it's going to influence the purchase decision, I'd try knocking on a few doors and asking your soon to be neighbours.

Terrier_Jimlad · 15 Feb 2016 at 23:43

Is your current provider Sky on ADSL? I know the DSL Checker can often not find numbers that Sky un-bundled as part of their LLU

MissChief · 16 Feb 2016 at 04:15

What TJ said. If the number is on an LLU provider (Sky and Talk Talk generally) then a phone number check may not return any results.

DragonQ · 16 Feb 2016 at 08:00

Ah, that may explain it. The current owners have Sky broadband, and it's almost certainly ADSL.

KIA · 16 Feb 2016 at 18:40

Use the address checker.

demonix · 17 Feb 2016 at 20:21

KIA said:
Use the address checker.

I'm actually wondering if the OP actually used the postcode checker when using the BT checker since the postcode checker normally doesn't show FTTC as it doesn't mention a cabinet ID (or if the OP used the BT website to check availability).

Back on topic, have you tried starting an order for FTTC and used your address as most if not all ISPs should know regardless of if the line is unbundled or not if there's an active line at a specific address (plusnet managed to find the active sky phone line at my address).

DragonQ · 17 Feb 2016 at 20:40

demonix said:
I'm actually wondering if the OP actually used the postcode checker when using the BT checker since the postcode checker normally doesn't show FTTC as it doesn't mention a cabinet ID (or if the OP used the BT website to check availability).

Back on topic, have you tried starting an order for FTTC and used your address as most if not all ISPs should know regardless of if the line is unbundled or not if there's an active line at a specific address (plusnet managed to find the active sky phone line at my address).

I can get through the BT Infinity ordering process. It asks for the phone number and post code twice, and eventually says this:

BT said:
We've found a phone line at this address that we can easily activate for you. Please tell us if you'd like us to use it, or if you want a brand new line instead. A connection charge may apply.

Sparx · 17 Feb 2016 at 20:56

The BT wholesale checker will not work for the current landline no. as it's on Sky's LLU network.

If the address checker (house no. and postcode) method states you can get FTTC you are fine.

For the active line question I would say yes you want to use the existing line.

DragonQ · 17 Feb 2016 at 20:58

Sparx said:
The BT wholesale checker will not work for the current landline no. as it's on Sky's LLU network.

If the address checker (house no. and postcode) method states you can get FTTC you are fine.

For the active line question I would say yes you want to use the existing line.

Yes I think I'll be fine too. I was unaware that Sky phone lines weren't recognised by some of these online checkers.

I'll be moving my Plusnet Fibre package to the new property when we move, should be fine.