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Quick question about FTTP rollout in London from a newb

gypsymoth

Super Pro Member
Hello - long time lurker, first time poster

I'm currently with Plusnet but at the end of my contract in early August

I live in Hackney, London, N16 for literal YEARS now a variety of providers - Community Fibre, G Network, etc =- have been digging up local roads to presumably install the infrastructure required for FTTP/ Ultrafast and faster speeds.

Some parts of the borough have it, some dont (like mine). I put my postcode into the Openreach checker, only to be given an incredibly vague "yes, gigabit broadband will arrive possibly before end of 2026"! I know London isn't the centre of the world, but surprised at how patchy Ultrafast coverage is in 2023.

I appreciate that you can't have everything you want and now, but I'm surprised at home slow the rollout of these services is.

Is the OR checker actually reliable?
Is it the case that local authority planning rules hold up rollouts?
Can anyone recommend a Superfast ISP that has decent speeds and flexible contracts until Ultrafast turns up?
Do I take a risk and get Virgin Media installed for 18months and wait it out?

Thank you
 
I recommend checking out BIDB, pop your postcode in and see what it shows up.

If a provider showing as planned, might be worth getting in touch to see if they can give you more information.
 
Is the OR checker actually reliable?
No, and even if it was Openreach changes their plans all the time so it's as good guess as anyones.
Is it the case that local authority planning rules hold up rollouts?
You can see planned works but not which premises will be served. Only the ISP knows this, and in a lot of cases this is not decided until the rollout happens as it's subject to exceptions like blocked ducts, poles that can't take any more cables, etc.
Can anyone recommend a Superfast ISP that has decent speeds and flexible contracts until Ultrafast turns up?
Without the address and knowing what ISPs can server it's pointless.
Do I take a risk and get Virgin Media installed for 18months and wait it out?
Your call but I had VM until I could get Community Fibre. VM has got better in the last few years in my view, less congestion, faster downloads and upload speeds. Their latency still sucks but as long as you are not in a congested area it's usable. Ask around your neighbours to see what they think.

How is your house currently served? Telegraph pole?

I use this map to see what's around. You can search by post code and enable the Altnets layer to see which networks are around you and which streets they cover. But it won't make it any faster to you...

https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/broadband-map#14
 
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No, and even if it was Openreach changes their plans all the time so it's as good guess as anyones.

You can see planned works but not which premises will be served. Only the ISP knows this, and in a lot of cases this is not decided until the rollout happens as it's subject to exceptions like blocked ducts, poles that can't take any more cables, etc.

Without the address and knowing what ISPs can server it's pointless.

Your call but I had VM until I could get Community Fibre. VM has got better in the last few years in my view, less congestion, faster downloads and upload speeds. Their latency still sucks but as long as you are not in a congested area it's usable. Ask around your neighbours to see what they think.

How is your house currently served? Telegraph pole?

I use this map to see what's around. You can search by post code and enable the Altnets layer to see which networks are around you and which streets they cover. But it won't make it any faster to you...

https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/broadband-map#14
Appreciate this feedback - very helpful. Thanks
 
I recommend checking out BIDB, pop your postcode in and see what it shows up.

If a provider showing as planned, might be worth getting in touch to see if they can give you more information.

Quick Q - the website doesnt really explain the relevance of 'Local' over 'Planned' - are you able to explain pls?
 
No, and even if it was Openreach changes their plans all the time so it's as good guess as anyones.

You can see planned works but not which premises will be served. Only the ISP knows this, and in a lot of cases this is not decided until the rollout happens as it's subject to exceptions like blocked ducts, poles that can't take any more cables, etc.

Without the address and knowing what ISPs can server it's pointless.

Your call but I had VM until I could get Community Fibre. VM has got better in the last few years in my view, less congestion, faster downloads and upload speeds. Their latency still sucks but as long as you are not in a congested area it's usable. Ask around your neighbours to see what they think.

How is your house currently served? Telegraph pole?

I use this map to see what's around. You can search by post code and enable the Altnets layer to see which networks are around you and which streets they cover. But it won't make it any faster to you...

https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/broadband-map#14

Sorry, to your question about telegraph pole, not as far as I can tell. BT (and a legacy VM service) is served via cables that come out from the pavement, thru garden wall then fed into the house thru exterior wall (its a victorian terrace)

Looking at the thinkbroadband tool - very helpful - looks like we're in an Altnet deadzone. Very frustrating
 
Quick Q - the website doesnt really explain the relevance of 'Local' over 'Planned' - are you able to explain pls?
As far as i'm aware Planned will show if the supplier reports that your address is planned, Local means they have built within X amount of miles from your address

@Msh should be correct me if I'm wrong
 
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Many thanks @Msh - very helpful

For my postcode, I'd interpret (loosely) that Openreach (I guess BT first) Community Fibre and Hyperoptic are theoretically the soonest to deliver ultrafast - that tallys with what I'm seeing as I cycle around the area. Many more of their installers digging away, than G network for example.

Feel like a rolling contract with a superfast provider while I wait it out makes sense

Screenshot 2023-06-22 at 14.23.22.webp
 
Many thanks @Msh - very helpful

For my postcode, I'd interpret (loosely) that Openreach (I guess BT first) Community Fibre and Hyperoptic are theoretically the soonest to deliver ultrafast - that tallys with what I'm seeing as I cycle around the area. Many more of their installers digging away, than G network for example.

Feel like a rolling contract with a superfast provider while I wait it out makes sense

View attachment 6946
Given those results:
  1. Openreach is vague, so it's hard to know if that means anything. You can check the Openreach checker directly but it's likely a huge window that you'll be given.
  2. Community Fibre is actually in build or planning.
  3. Hyperoptic is fairly meaningless, the result is more of a "hint", you'll need to check their map to see if you're actually planned.
  4. I don't know much about 4th Utility.
Out of all of that, I'd get in touch with Community Fibre; it feels the most likely to actually happen soon. They should be willing to give you an update on the build or ETAs.
 
Given those results:
  1. Openreach is vague, so it's hard to know if that means anything. You can check the Openreach checker directly but it's likely a huge window that you'll be given.
  2. Community Fibre is actually in build or planning.
  3. Hyperoptic is fairly meaningless, the result is more of a "hint", you'll need to check their map to see if you're actually planned.
  4. I don't know much about 4th Utility.
Out of all of that, I'd get in touch with Community Fibre; it feels the most likely to actually happen soon. They should be willing to give you an update on the build or ETAs.

Thanks again. I did drop CF a line last week and their customer service person was vague but hinted there was a blockage with the local authority. Time to hassle the mayor of hackney!
 
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Update: the openreach guys turned up yesterday - lots of vans and heavy duty cabling equipment. Apparently they're going to try and get their cables into the ducts and avoid digging up the road. Fingers crossed.

So, im looking at short term deals until the service is activated or I go with BT/Plusnet and hope they flip me onto ultrafast when its enabled for a minimal cost increase

Thanks all
 
These markings have appeared on the pavement leading away from the box at the end of the street. Anyone here knowledgeable enough to know what they mean eg: is install definitely happening?
IMG_6369.webp
IMG_6368.webp
 
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