Sponsored Links

Finally fibre is coming

Isn2011

Pro Member
So after well over a year since openreach shelved their plans for fibre in our small village. I noticed today some guys in hi vis jackets walking past the house with Opals Group written in the back, didn’t think too much of it until I was told there some vans at the end of the road with Opals Group on them.

So I walked around the village to see what was happening. Spoke to the guys who had reels of yellow rodding and was in the manholes with blue rope. Asked them if they were doing anything exciting to be told they are installing FTTP on behalf of Quickline. They also made it clear that it will be a little while before anything will be live which of course I understand. But exciting none the less.

Has anyone had any experience with Quickline and their services?
 
Quickline has been around in the broadband market for a long time as a fixed wireless player, although they're fairly new to the FTTP game. But they seem to have good financial backing and management.



As to their service quality, it's far too early to judge on the FTTP side of things.
 
Thanks Mark, what I might do is update this as they progress through the project up until we go live
 
Sponsored Links
Hi Isn2011

I have just had Quickline fibre fttp installed a week ago and it has been great. Same as you, I saw a guy installing fibre cables in the village, asked him who it was and then signed up to get it as soon as it became available.

The password to log into the router wouldnt work so I had to reset it, they gave me the PPPOE details and I've put my own router on which is working fine. I was stuck on 45mb download and 5mb upload, now getting 400mb download 200mb upload.
 
Hi Isn2011

I have just had Quickline fibre fttp installed a week ago and it has been great. Same as you, I saw a guy installing fibre cables in the village, asked him who it was and then signed up to get it as soon as it became available.

The password to log into the router wouldnt work so I had to reset it, they gave me the PPPOE details and I've put my own router on which is working fine. I was stuck on 45mb download and 5mb upload, now getting 400mb download 200mb upload.
That’s great to know, if you don’t mind me asking - can you remember how long the process took from rodding to install I know they have identified some blocked ducts in our village so that is going to slow the rollout a little. Also what do you pay a month for your connection?
 
From when I saw the guy installing fibre on the telephone poles and in ducts in the village to having working internet in my house was just under 3 months. I pay £35 a month for 400/200 though that deal doesnt show up anymore on the website. I signed up for that deal before the village went live somehow and they let me keep it. From being able to actually order it properly to it being installed in my house was only a week.
 
Ah okay not so bad, I think we might be a bit further behind, although today we have received a leaflet from Quickline urging us to apply for the gigabit voucher if we are interested, so no real idea how long things will take from this point but shall wait and see
 
Sponsored Links
So update on progress since my last post on this thread - Opals - the contractor Quickline are using having been busy over the last couple of weeks starting to lay fibre through Heckington - we are part of the heckington build - today they have been up the poles starting to fit some cbts - they seem to be working their way through the main route to then expand down the streets so will be interesting to watch the rollout continue
 
But more of an update - we seem to be getting ever closer although looks like the live date will quite a bit later on our street as they had to put in for a road closure on the street which means works won’t be until April where they will be installing new boxes etc.

Just out of interest currently our copper line is pole fed on a national grid pole as are quite a few in the village. Do altnets tend to avoid using these and instead opt for underground infrastructure? The reason I ask is they have so far only worked on openreach poles so far
 
Do altnets tend to avoid using these and instead opt for underground infrastructure?
Depends if they have struck an agreement with the DNO to use their poles. Some have and some haven’t.

They may otherwise opt to put up their own poles or trench and duct.

There is no predominant method at play, depends on local circumstances and the AltNet.
 
Apart from DNO consents, it will also be influenced by a pole by pole risk assessment - whether the power cables are insulated ABC triplex or separate conductors insulated or not, which in turn influences the vertical separation required/available whilst ensuring the fibre is high enough off the ground for clearances below.
 
Sponsored Links
So update on progress since my last post on this thread - Opals - the contractor Quickline are using having been busy over the last couple of weeks starting to lay fibre through Heckington - we are part of the heckington build - today they have been up the poles starting to fit some cbts - they seem to be working their way through the main route to then expand down the streets so will be interesting to watch the rollout continue
I'm not too far from you in a small village south of Heckington, it would appear that Quickline are now expanding to us as well and appear to be part of the upcoming Billingborough roll out.

I received a letter in the post today explaining that they are about to start building works in the 'next few weeks' down my road. I hadn't even realised that my village was in plan for any FTTP rollout, I know BT have left a massive void in their rollout plans to my area with nothing planned this side of 2026.

Fingers crossed they are a decent enough company and maybe my village will be joining Heckington before the end of the year with FTTP.

EDIT:
Seems that their website buries all their FTTP packages, I can't find anything about what they offer and their prices.
 
Last edited:
Depends if they have struck an agreement with the DNO to use their poles. Some have and some haven’t.

They may otherwise opt to put up their own poles or trench and duct.

There is no predominant method at play, depends on local circumstances and the AltNet.
Ah that’s good to know, looking at the trend of their installs so far avoiding national grid poles and large amounts of road works I’d suspect they haven’t got an agreement in place

Apart from DNO consents, it will also be influenced by a pole by pole risk assessment - whether the power cables are insulated ABC triplex or separate conductors insulated or not, which in turn influences the vertical separation required/available whilst ensuring the fibre is high enough off the ground for clearances below.
Ah that’s good to know, in all honesty the pole we are connected to isn’t in the best of condition (attached image) and the fact that they have roadworks planned outside our house (that’s another story!)
 

Attachments

  • D9BC2E46-5AEC-443F-9071-2413B9C141D1.webp
    D9BC2E46-5AEC-443F-9071-2413B9C141D1.webp
    111.8 KB · Views: 190
I'm not too far from you in a small village south of Heckington, it would appear that Quickline are now expanding to us as well and appear to be part of the upcoming Billingborough roll out.

I received a letter in the post today explaining that they are about to start building works in the 'next few weeks' down my road. I hadn't even realised that my village was in plan for any FTTP rollout, I know BT have left a massive void in their rollout plans to my area with nothing planned this side of 2026.

Fingers crossed they are a decent enough company and maybe my village will be joining Heckington before the end of the year with FTTP.

EDIT:
Seems that their website buries all their FTTP packages, I can't find anything about what they offer and their prices.
It really took us by surprise when we found out late last year especially after being shunned by openreach. It just can’t come quick enough now, they’ve done some works in our village but I’m sure once they get going it will be done in no time. We only have a handful of roads!
 
So interesting development regarding the road works, I’ve been keeping my eye on bidb (such a handy tool, although what happened to the lines we just have dots right now?) I noticed about 2 weeks ago they planned to dig up outside our house starting yesterday however the dates soon moved to April as it turns out they need to close the road. We got a letter today (attached) informing us of the works that we’re starting yesterday. Can only presume that these letters were sent before the change in plans!
 

Attachments

  • AEE1403F-70BA-4ECF-857E-F509F6F4845F.webp
    AEE1403F-70BA-4ECF-857E-F509F6F4845F.webp
    73.1 KB · Views: 217
Sponsored Links
It really took us by surprise when we found out late last year especially after being shunned by openreach. It just can’t come quick enough now, they’ve done some works in our village but I’m sure once they get going it will be done in no time. We only have a handful of roads!

It certainly has taken me by surprise too.

I did notice some workmen rodding the OpenReach underground ducting last November/December in the village and down my road but didn't think anything of it. I knew BT had shunned us too and nothing was being planned before the end of 2026, so never took any notice of which contractors were doing the works.

I do know there are several blocked ducts down my road as I applied for FTTPoD in 2020, during the lockdown, and they reported 3 blockages at the time. The install cost was around £16k, so I never went ahead with it and seeing their letter, I'm pleased I didn't now.

So interesting development regarding the road works, I’ve been keeping my eye on bidb (such a handy tool, although what happened to the lines we just have dots right now?) I noticed about 2 weeks ago they planned to dig up outside our house starting yesterday however the dates soon moved to April as it turns out they need to close the road. We got a letter today (attached) informing us of the works that we’re starting yesterday. Can only presume that these letters were sent before the change in plans!

I haven't heard of the bidb before, could you please confirm that i have to correct website address (bidb.uk) as this one isn't working for me. I enter my postcode and all I get is..

'There was an error locating this postcode. Try again or enter a valid postcode. If you believe this is a bug, please use the contact form.'

I just wanted to make sure it's the same site you have mentioned before contacting them.
 
It certainly has taken me by surprise too.

I did notice some workmen rodding the OpenReach underground ducting last November/December in the village and down my road but didn't think anything of it. I knew BT had shunned us too and nothing was being planned before the end of 2026, so never took any notice of which contractors were doing the works.

I do know there are several blocked ducts down my road as I applied for FTTPoD in 2020, during the lockdown, and they reported 3 blockages at the time. The install cost was around £16k, so I never went ahead with it and seeing their letter, I'm pleased I didn't now.



I haven't heard of the bidb before, could you please confirm that i have to correct website address (bidb.uk) as this one isn't working for me. I enter my postcode and all I get is..

'There was an error locating this postcode. Try again or enter a valid postcode. If you believe this is a bug, please use the contact form.'

I just wanted to make sure it's the same site you have mentioned before contacting them.
The web address you used was correct but there appears to be an issue currently with one of the services used as part of the behind the scenes workings, so the site isn't doing all its usual magic currently.
 
I haven't heard of the bidb before, could you please confirm that i have to correct website address (bidb.uk) as this one isn't working for me. I enter my postcode and all I get is..

'There was an error locating this postcode. Try again or enter a valid postcode. If you believe this is a bug, please use the contact form.'

I just wanted to make sure it's the same site you have mentioned before contacting them.
Sorry about that, I think the captcha has flagged you. Is it still the case? you can PM me here
 
Top
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £24.00 - 26.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £24.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Plusnet UK ISP Logo
Plusnet £25.99
145Mbps
Gift: £50 Reward Card
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £17.00
200Mbps
Gift: None
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Hey! Broadband UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Sponsored Links
The Top 15 Category Tags
  1. FTTP (6027)
  2. BT (3639)
  3. Politics (2721)
  4. Business (2440)
  5. Openreach (2405)
  6. Building Digital UK (2330)
  7. Mobile Broadband (2146)
  8. FTTC (2083)
  9. Statistics (1901)
  10. 4G (1816)
  11. Virgin Media (1764)
  12. Ofcom Regulation (1582)
  13. Fibre Optic (1467)
  14. Wireless Internet (1462)
  15. 5G (1407)
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms  ,  Privacy and Cookie Policy  ,  Links  ,  Website Rules