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Community Fibre build in North London

I just went for a walk in the area with the map from https://bidb.uk/

The three places Community Fibre are available are all council/ex-council blocks. Frustrating it being only 200/300 metres away for sweet symmetric gigabit, and I can't get it!
Same story in Hackney. Builds all around us but nothing on our street because it's not easy or cheap enough - this is straight from the business managers at G Network, CF etc
 

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I see now that there's several Community Fibre installs within a few hundred meters of me, in all directions, but frustratingly their website still not available.

Any ideas why that might be?
I'm up the road in Woodside park I was connected just after Xmas. Send me a PM with your postcode and if your home is a SDU or MDU and I will ask on Monday can't promise much but I can ask.
 
I live very close to you, EN1 just of Lincoln Road.
I've spoken to both OpenInfra and Community Fibre today. OpenInfra I've given up with to be honest, they're still 20/40% away and don't seem to be getting any closer, they seem like they've given up themselves with our area.

Community Fibre was more positive, I mentioned the cabinet at the top of Lincoln road and some of the "community Fibre" drains popping up and they said they're 6-12 months away from "switching on" the network in the Bush Hill Park area. (He said realistically its going to be a year)

I mentioned my house is also ducting rather than overhead and they said its not a problem, they've also covered houses with ducting.


There's some Community Fibre drain covers on this side of the tracks (near the park by Lincoln Road shops) so I don't think that's an issue.

Annoyingly my talktalk contract has finished and I've had to renew for another 2 years
Having haggled Virgin for a better deal - had to give official notice of cancellation, 'Loyalty' team called several times, I eventually answered and with a tiny haggle got double the speed for £25/month less (M250 for £20/month), 18 month contract.

I'm reasonably happy at the upgrade and saving, but out of interest I checked CF website today and notice that it now says -

"Sorry, we don’t offer service at the address you checked and we don’t have any plans to build here."​

Whereas I'm reasonably certain it said that 'works were planned' (or similar) in the last couple of months.....???

Anyway, hopefully the landscape will have changed in 18 months time.....
 
Same situation here (in Finchley Central). The CF page at least used to suggest that something was planned, now I get the same message as you.

I'm at the end of my VM 1gbit contract for £37. Good to know you got M500 for £25. I might consider dropping down to that.

Incidentally, how exactly did you give them "official notice"? I tried contacting them but held for ages. I tried via their web chat, and it said I'd have to wait "36 minutes".
 
Community fibre has stopped building, so if your not live then no CFL until they start building again, which is very low.
 
Same situation here (in Finchley Central). The CF page at least used to suggest that something was planned, now I get the same message as you.

I'm at the end of my VM 1gbit contract for £37. Good to know you got M500 for £25. I might consider dropping down to that.

Incidentally, how exactly did you give them "official notice"? I tried contacting them but held for ages. I tried via their web chat, and it said I'd have to wait "36 minutes".
I actually got M250 for £20/mo, (would've happily taken M500 for £25! was also offered M350 for £26).

If I had hung on and not answered their calls and only answered with a few days left of 30-Day notice period I'm pretty certain I'd've got a better deal(!?) (lots of anecdotal evidence here:- http://reddit.com/r/VirginMedia )

I started by contacting them on their WhatsApp channel - 07305327112 - but eventually got to a loop where it forced me to use the Webchat, not ideal.

Once on the Webchat I started talking with a Bot.... then a Human who (slowly) made a couple of not great offers, but still a discount, and I eventually told them that I was giving formal 30-day notice to cancel my contract, which was eventually acknowledged. (you can always cancel your cancellation if it's not going your way, but it was very straightforward for me)

Took roughly 30~40 mins an hour total. I've read it can be quicker earlier in the morning.
 

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I actually got M250 for £20/mo, (would've happily taken M500 for £25! was also offered M350 for £26).

If I had hung on and not answered their calls and only answered with a few days left of 30-Day notice period I'm pretty certain I'd've got a better deal(!?) (lots of anecdotal evidence here:- http://reddit.com/r/VirginMedia )

I started by contacting them on their WhatsApp channel - 07305327112 - but eventually got to a loop where it forced me to use the Webchat, not ideal.

Once on the Webchat I started talking with a Bot.... then a Human who (slowly) made a couple of not great offers, but still a discount, and I eventually told them that I was giving formal 30-day notice to cancel my contract, which was eventually acknowledged. (you can always cancel your cancellation if it's not going your way, but it was very straightforward for me)

Took roughly 30~40 mins an hour total. I've read it can be quicker earlier in the morning.
Thanks for the detailed approach. I actually asked in the sub-Reddit you mentioned, but noticed your new post in this thread (that I follow hoping for news, and news, on getting FTTP here in Finchley Central!)
 
I first heard about Community Fibre when they dropped a leaflet through my letterbox back in August 2022.

Waited and waited and even phoned them last year to ask and was told by May but still nothing up to today.

In the meantime, in October 2022, we heard from Open Infra who promised on a call for residents here (Cockfosters, the Charles Church development off Chalk Lane) that they would be live by the end of 2022 which was clearly a lie. Lots of their very pushy salesmen called over the years (saying e.g. if you don't sign up NOW you won't get free installation etc) but we were waiting for Community Fibre and said no.

Most recently was earlier this week when the Open Infra salesman on the doorstep claimed that Openreach would be withdrawing FTTC so if we didn't sign up with them, we'd end up with no Internet service! Wasn't bothered to challenge him on this. When asked about timing, he said we could get it "tomorrow" as they're already live in the area which sounded ridiculous. Sent him away with a flea in his ear.

The following day (yesterday), I then read on here about Community Fibre running out of money and stopping new builds! So I reluctantly signed up online for Open Infra on the basis that something at some point in the future perhaps is better than nothing. I also read the small print about when I could cancel and if I did, what I'd be liable for (worse comes to the worse, I could just take their service for the minimum contract period and that would be the extent of my losses).

I was therefore very suprised to have an Open Infra engineer turn up today to check whether the ducting is suitable for my house. He did and said it's OK, they're not live yet (due to a hitch which we said would be resolved by the end of next week) and in the meantime, booked me in for installation of the boxes next Monday (which he said would be phase 1 of the install). He said phase 2 (running the fibre to the box) would take place shortly afterwards and the final phase 3 (someone turning up with a router and installing) would be around when they go live.

I know I probably shouldn't count my chickens until they've hatched but I take back all the thoughts I've had over the years about them being dodgy, economical with the truth and hard selling charlatans! 😁

Assuming all goes well, my Internet service should go from A&A dual line bonded FTTC (80 / 15 for £130+ / month) to Open Infra (900 / 900 for £35.90 / month; 24-month minimum period; free for first 4 months)! 😄
 
I first heard about Community Fibre when they dropped a leaflet through my letterbox back in August 2022.

Waited and waited and even phoned them last year to ask and was told by May but still nothing up to today.

In the meantime, in October 2022, we heard from Open Infra who promised on a call for residents here (Cockfosters, the Charles Church development off Chalk Lane) that they would be live by the end of 2022 which was clearly a lie. Lots of their very pushy salesmen called over the years (saying e.g. if you don't sign up NOW you won't get free installation etc) but we were waiting for Community Fibre and said no.

Most recently was earlier this week when the Open Infra salesman on the doorstep claimed that Openreach would be withdrawing FTTC so if we didn't sign up with them, we'd end up with no Internet service! Wasn't bothered to challenge him on this. When asked about timing, he said we could get it "tomorrow" as they're already live in the area which sounded ridiculous. Sent him away with a flea in his ear.

The following day (yesterday), I then read on here about Community Fibre running out of money and stopping new builds! So I reluctantly signed up online for Open Infra on the basis that something at some point in the future perhaps is better than nothing. I also read the small print about when I could cancel and if I did, what I'd be liable for (worse comes to the worse, I could just take their service for the minimum contract period and that would be the extent of my losses).

I was therefore very suprised to have an Open Infra engineer turn up today to check whether the ducting is suitable for my house. He did and said it's OK, they're not live yet (due to a hitch which we said would be resolved by the end of next week) and in the meantime, booked me in for installation of the boxes next Monday (which he said would be phase 1 of the install). He said phase 2 (running the fibre to the box) would take place shortly afterwards and the final phase 3 (someone turning up with a router and installing) would be around when they go live.

I know I probably shouldn't count my chickens until they've hatched but I take back all the thoughts I've had over the years about them being dodgy, economical with the truth and hard selling charlatans! 😁

Assuming all goes well, my Internet service should go from A&A dual line bonded FTTC (80 / 15 for £130+ / month) to Open Infra (900 / 900 for £35.90 / month; 24-month minimum period; free for first 4 months)! 😄
you can also get 8gbps for the low price of £128

1707486993781.png
 
you can also get 8gbps for the low price of £128

I signed up yesterday on the Open Infra website itself (rather than through Optyx who I understand run on Open Infra) and it only gave me the 900 / 900 option. I'd have considered this 8gbps option if it's available (it's less than what I'm paying at the moment!). Anyway, one step at a time I guess - when up and running may see later if I can upgrade in the future (though 8gbps seems a bit OTT; I was already thinking that 3gbps with CF would be nice but OTT).
 
If I believe their marketing spiel, Open Infra provides the network on top of which an ISP (possibly also themselves) provides the service to the customer.

Looking at the docs which I signed yesterday, it mentions Fibrewave Broadband Limited (registered office a flat in Wembley; Swedish directors like Open Infra).

However, Optyx Broadband (registered office an office building in the More London development by London Bridge; a different Swedish director) wasn't offered when I signed up yesterday on the Open Infra website so possibly it's done by area or maybe Optyx is no longer offering service (I recall seeing their name back in 2022 when Open Infra first came knocking).
 
@jhm

There is some Community Fibre service in your area (as no doubt you know) but generally their preference is houses which are cabled overhead from a pole (Community Fibre install to the pole and when a customer orders it is an easy install).

Is your street currently on underground cables by any chance?

If so that may be why Community Fibre are not serving your house.

It's a real result getting Open Infrastructure service however.

Down towards Southgate there are many signs of the Openreach FTTP roll out now so by the time your renewal comes round you may have a few more options.
 
@jhm

One other thought. I might keep one of your copper lines as a backup, particularly if you are equipped to use 2 connections.
 
Many thanks, @Barnet!

Yes, my street is on underground cables - i.e. there are no overhead lines going to the houses from telephone poles - so that might explain it as you say.

Even if Openreach FTTP does get here, then my understanding is that (currently) it's assymetrical (upload speed is far slower at 115Mbps) whilst Open Infra are (if they're correct) 900Mbps both ways. In any event, more competition is always good!

That's a good idea to keep one of my 2 copper lines (probably on a cheap and cheerful provider) as a backup ... at least until Open Infra has worked without any problems for a few months at least.

I was also thinking that I might perhaps need a L2TP service anyway from A&A to keep the IPv4 static addresses which I currently have. Not essential but a nice to have for servers etc (particularly since getting fibre makes running a home server much more attractive).
 
After months of absence I've started seeing Open Infra operatives walking the streets of Bush Hill Park again.

Spoke to one yesterday outside my house and he said that Enfield has been a very tough borough to get signups..... unlike Barnet and Mill Hill!

He said that they have to reach 30% of the houses signing up, currently Bush Hill is around 23%......

He thought they might be ready to go live in a month or two....?????

I think it could take a while longer.......

(and of course I'm not annoyed that I've just signed a new 18 month contract with VM!! (at a good discount). If only Open Infra had kept communicating their progress with those who had expressed an interest!!!)
 
I would take any indications of timing from Open Infra with some scepticism (but for me at least they did eventually come through)!

We were told (here in Cockfosters, Barnet) towards the end of 2022 that they would be going live at the end of 2022.

However, on 7 February last month, a salesman called again and said we could get it "tomorrow". As it turned out, he wasn't then entirely out of whack with the truth because I signed up online the next day (8 February) and was up and running on 20 February (900 / 900 service)!

Subsequently, last Friday, I found out from them they can offer a higher speed and had an engineer turn up this morning to swap my GPON ONT with a XGS-PON ONT and I'm just waiting for their backend config to be updated to get 2500 / 2500 service.
 
Got a rather teasing email from OpenReach - I wonder if it’s actually meaningful?

This is the Finchley Central / West Finchley area.

You let us know you're interested in Ultrafast Full Fibre, and we wanted to touch base with an update – we've added <my address> to our build plans.

We're rolling out Full Fibre to 25 million people across the UK – it's a huge, complex project and we’re still planning when we can start to build in your area.

We'll keep you updated as we progress and let you know as soon as we can give you a delivery date.
I went back to their checker and instead of a “sorry not available” message, it now says “Build planned between now and Dec-2026”.

Quite a range… why even bother with such an update?
 
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