{"id":27899,"date":"2021-07-28T10:44:23","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T09:44:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/?p=27899"},"modified":"2021-07-28T11:50:34","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T10:50:34","slug":"anger-over-netomnias-use-of-telegraph-poles-in-uk-fttp-builds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/07\/anger-over-netomnias-use-of-telegraph-poles-in-uk-fttp-builds.html","title":{"rendered":"Anger Over Netomnia’s Use of Telegraph Poles in UK FTTP Builds UPDATE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Netomnia<\/a>, which is working to make their 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP<\/a>) broadband ISP network available to 1 million UK premises by 2024 (here<\/a> and here<\/a>), are facing complaints in a number of their build areas after residents began objecting to the erection of new telegraph poles “without their knowledge or consent<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

So far the operator, which is supported by civil engineering firms Light Source<\/a> and MAP Group (UK)<\/a>, is known to have committed an initial investment of \u00a3150m<\/strong> to cover 14 towns (c.500,000 premises), with work having already begun in quite a few of those (Peterlee, Spennymoor and Durham etc.).<\/p>\n

Once live, customers in these locations – via ISP YouFibre<\/a> – will typically pay from \u00a322 per month (currently discounted to \u00a320) on an 18-month term for their unlimited 50Mbps package, which rises to \u00a350 if you want their top 900Mbps plan. Suffice to say that you’d think people would be more than happy with all this, after all, who doesn’t want access to a full fibre network? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.<\/p>\n

Over the past few months we’ve received a steady string of complaints concerning Netomnia<\/a>‘s use of telegraph poles in their UK rollout. Most of those gripes centre on how unattractive they are, as well as whether they were even necessary (as opposed to underground deployments) and the fact that they often appeared without the locals “knowledge or consent<\/em>.” A few example gripes can be found below from different areas.<\/p>\n

Sample Complaint 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Peterlee as a new town developed after the Second World War planned with tree-lined open green spaces. In keeping with this concept, Peterlee Development Corporation held that all telecommunications cabling would be underground to maintain the town’s aesthetic.<\/p>\n

Those who had the concept and planned Peterlee from 1946 viewed the timber poles common in the surrounding mining villages as outdated technology. After 75 years, it is disappointing that Netomnia<\/a> believes such infrastructure is acceptable in 2021. While superfast broadband is welcome, I would question why Netomnia<\/a> has chosen to deliver the service via timber poles in Peterlee while providing the service via underground cabling in other areas.<\/p>\n

There is strong public opposition to these poles, which are considered as little more than an act of vandalism against the community.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sample Complaint 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The estate I live on is currently in the middle of fibre rollout but the company carrying out the work Netomnia<\/a> is not working in accordance with code of practice … We are being threatened that if we don\u2019t let them install fibre we will in 2027 be without broadband.<\/p>\n

In addition, the infrastructure is being built on creosote soaked poles that are weeping given that creosote was banned for domestic use in 2002 and initially scheduled to be banned for industrial use in March 2021 but has now been extended to October 2021.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sample Complaint 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Netomania have started to erect hideous 12 metre high wooden poles in our street as preparation for the new Youfibre<\/a> broadband installation. No consultation was carried out with the residents and when asked whether the wires would all be underground, a company employee said categorically that this would be the case. We are all flabbergasted at the height and general appearance of the poles and are trying to find how this operation can be stopped.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many of the complaints come from residents in Peterlee, although the network builder was also asked to attend a council meeting in Spennymoor last night after residents there allegedly made similar complaints<\/a> to the local authority. A video of that meeting does exist (see below – the operator’s local rep speaks from just after the 2:40 mark), but the audio is of such poor quality that it’s hard to make out what is actually being said.<\/p>\n