UPD BT Openreach UK Engineers Slowly Recover Broadband Network

BTOpenreach, which maintains BT’s national UK phone and internet access network, has told ISPreview.co.uk that they’re “making every effort” to return services to normal after the recent bout of “heavy snowfall” caused damage to their telecoms platform and travel disruption across the country.

At present about ten seven areas of the United Kingdom are still subject to a status of Matters Beyond Our Reasonable Control (MBORC), which references locations where damage to BT’s network is likely to slow lead times (i.e. new service provision) and repairs take priority. But this marks a distinct improvement from early January 2013 when a huge chunk of the country was still affected.

A Spokersman for Openreach told ISPreview.co.uk:

“Across the country severe weather is causing travel disruption. BT is making every effort to meet existing appointments where it is safe and possible to do so. However, the heavy snowfall, and impact on the road network does inevitably mean we need to reschedule some appointments in the worst-affected areas. Throughout this period we will be prioritising repair work and the maintenance of critical services.”

Current Openreach Status (MBORC Areas)

* Bournemouth
* Exeter
* Southampton
* Central Downs
* Newport/Worcester
* North Wales
* Swansea

It should be said that some of the areas, such as Swansea and North Wales, have been on BT’s MBORC list since before Christmas because of the extremely high rainfall and flooding that occurred over that period.

As a result of all this some customers are sadly being forced to wait several months in order to get a new phone or broadband service installed. Openreach will no doubt be hoping for some better weather over the coming weeks and months.

UPDATE 1:13pm

Openreach has just removed Broadlands, Peterborough and West Downs from its MBORC list.