DavidC
Member
Last year when I checked the Openreach site to determine if fibre would be enabled soon in my area (Exchange name: Hoghton Exchange Code: LCHOG status: Fibre enabled Cabinet number: 13) it told me it was in the activate status and I could expect to be able to order in about a month. When it got to February and the site was still displaying the same status I contacted Openreach to find out what was delaying the process. In the middle of May I finally got this answer:
Interestingly if I go to the newly revamped Openreach page it still says:
Better broadband is coming
Good news – we’ll be upgrading your area to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) soon.
But I guess the system isn't updated that frequently.
I'm totally stunned as they have clearly spent a lot of time and money getting to this point. Indeed my internet and phone got cut off at one point as when they were laying fibre they managed to damage the copper (at least that was the reason given for the outage) and since then my broadband speeds have been significantly poorer ( I see speeds of 0.25Mbps in the evenings regularly but a good night I get 2Mbps). As I write this the speedtest from this site shows:
This is fairly typical. So the question is, where do I go from here?
If Openreach have already looked at alternative options due to the required road and rail closure, I doubt they will be able to deliver FTTP either or at least not at a cost that makes sense.
Questioning about the 10Mbps+ Universal Service Obligation (USO) might be an option? But I guess there would be a significant cost involved?
Wireless operators? From this site I see Boundless Networks, Virair and Unify Wireless (their website says their account has been suspended so I guess isn't an option)are potential suppliers but need a site visit to determine if they can provide a service.
Low Earth Orbit? Realistically when are these services likely to be operating?
Something else? Needless to say phone reception is pretty much zero here too.
Many thanks for any thoughts on how best to progress?
We have been liaising with the project manager for the area and unfortunately the projects are not going to take place.
There have been numerous issues including a potential railway and road closure leading to us to cancel the project. Alternative options were looked at but there was no other way to move the line to the other cabinet.
There is an option if you were interested in FTTP, you could consider getting together with neighbours or local community group and raising the money to help build the network yourself. We offer a community fibre partnership scheme where we work with local communities to find a fibre solution. We cannot always guarantee this will be feasible but we would be willing to look at it if you were interested.
Interestingly if I go to the newly revamped Openreach page it still says:
Better broadband is coming
Good news – we’ll be upgrading your area to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) soon.
But I guess the system isn't updated that frequently.
I'm totally stunned as they have clearly spent a lot of time and money getting to this point. Indeed my internet and phone got cut off at one point as when they were laying fibre they managed to damage the copper (at least that was the reason given for the outage) and since then my broadband speeds have been significantly poorer ( I see speeds of 0.25Mbps in the evenings regularly but a good night I get 2Mbps). As I write this the speedtest from this site shows:
This is fairly typical. So the question is, where do I go from here?
If Openreach have already looked at alternative options due to the required road and rail closure, I doubt they will be able to deliver FTTP either or at least not at a cost that makes sense.
Questioning about the 10Mbps+ Universal Service Obligation (USO) might be an option? But I guess there would be a significant cost involved?
Wireless operators? From this site I see Boundless Networks, Virair and Unify Wireless (their website says their account has been suspended so I guess isn't an option)are potential suppliers but need a site visit to determine if they can provide a service.
Low Earth Orbit? Realistically when are these services likely to be operating?
Something else? Needless to say phone reception is pretty much zero here too.
Many thanks for any thoughts on how best to progress?