topic Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder in Broadband & Landline

Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

smithm36312 — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:00:34 GMT

Hi All,

My elderly parents are currently with Plusnet and have recently been contacted about the PSTN switch off and offered the option to move to EE in order to keep their landline phone with Digital Voice. They have requested my assistance in helping them through the transition.

They currently have an FTTC copper connection, provided via a pole in the street outside. Their broadband is not particularly heavily used, the greatest demand being occasional iPlayer streaming, and they are happy with their current speeds. They also want to keep the router and cordless phone base station where it is, in the hallway next to the main entrance door.

Openreach fibre is available and, having checked the options presented on EE's website using the discount code provided by Plusnet, they are all full fibre options.

The issue I foresee with a fibre install is that, since the copper line was installed, a UPVC porch has been added, and flashing has been laid over the top. The anchor point on the property for the cable from the pole is no longer accessible from ground level using a ladder and I suspect a cherry picker would be required to get to it.

Can this be dealt with as part of the Openreach installation? Alternatively would they be able to stick with an FTTC/SOGEA service using the existing copper, even though a full fibre connection is available?

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

JimM11 — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:03:56 GMT

@smithm36312 ? is the full fibre connection also going to be pole fed, you can determine that if OR have mounted the CBT at the top off the pole it will also possibly indicate on the BTW as to what is going to be possible with the connection, use the address and postcode to check that.

BT Broadband

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

smithm36312 — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:50:42 GMT

Thanks Jim.

Yes, I believe it will be pole fed. There's no underground ducting under the front garden, and there's no way they would have anyone dig a trench (which makes Virgin Media a no-go for them).

Pole top from latest Streetview image (Jul 2025):

BTW Broadband Checker output below. SOGEA is available. If that's path they want to go down, will that require a phone conversation since the website only offers full fibre?

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:53:09 GMT

ISPs will not provide FTTC/SoGEA where FTTP is available.

Isn't there an alternative anchor point in easy reach of the pole?

I don't see your existing anchor point in your image.

Yes, you will have an OH feed for FTTP.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

smithm36312 — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:28:35 GMT

I've circled the anchor point below. Apologies for the low quality Streetview images, but I'm two hours away.

The wall in front of the porch could be an option to move the anchor point, albeit at a much lower level. That wall now has cladding on it, but I'm assuming that wouldn't be an issue....

If retaining the copper connection is a complete no (even though they are being forced to switch), I suspect the best course of action will be to arrange an install sooner rather than later and see what the engineer can do on the day.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:37:40 GMT

Yes, I should order FF from EE & see what the OR eng. can come up with on the installation day.

After all the BTw Checker comes up with "no anticipated issues".

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

smithm36312 — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:51:06 GMT

Thank you. Is there a mechanism for forewarning the engineer that the existing anchor point is not accessible by ladder, so they can consider whether additional equipment is likely to be needed ahead of time?

I can foresee a scenario where the anchor point is moved and the existing cable is left hanging down for them to deal with, which wouldn't go down well.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:56:58 GMT

Not particularly. You could mention it if you order by phone or phone CS after you order online.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

Schockwave — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:42:18 GMT

@smithm36312 , I had full fibre done on Tuesday via the pole from the other side of the street and they have not removed the old cable, you just get a new cable, it was placed in the same position as the copper one, down to where it goes in, the engineer will take a look and discuss it with your parents where you want the box to go. If you need a longer cable from the box to the router, you can get a CAT 5E lan cable from somewhere like EBay for a few pounds, it works very well, which plugs in to the red socket on the back of the router. I chose the 74MBs, as price was cheaper monthly cost than what I had with my copper broadband, it works, so far very well.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:49:19 GMT

@Schockwave : Didn't they even remove the hanging cable from pole to roof anchor point? I presume they also left the phone master socket within the house.

BTW: I still have both the copper & fibre cables, complete runs, in place but, unlike you, both carry live services, landline for copper & Full Fibre for fibre.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

Schockwave — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:53:11 GMT

@XRaySpeX , it is still all there, no idea whether the copper one would still work, nothing taken down, it was not Open Reach, but one of their other companies they send round, cannot remember the name right now. Have not actually tried the copper one since upgrading, so the same as you, I suspect.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:02:32 GMT

@Schockwave : No, you won't be the same as me. I've got a Dedicated Landline Service which I call "DV from the Exchange". Your DV, if you want it, will be from the router.

What you might have for a short period is your old FTTC & analogue landline, if you had it, on the copper line. I did for about 3 weeks when I went FTTP; DV came later.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

smithm36312 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:34:00 GMT

Yes, from other experiences I was reading yesterday it seems it's quite common that the old cable is left in place. If they can't get at the existing anchor point and cable route it may have to be left in place. I'll go have a look with them and see where would be most suitable for an accessible anchor point and cable route for fibre.

I'm assuming the CSP will have to be on the outside of porch. I'm not sure if they have power in the porch, but we can probably get it within a 10m cable route of a suitable location for the ONT even if that is in the hall where the existing NTE is.

My mother-in-law is also going through the same process, albeit without the pole feed and access complications but she is on an FTTC service with full fibre available. Hers is about six months ahead and she opted to do nothing and let Plusnet transfer her remaining contract over to EE. From what she's been told, it looks like EE are only going to provide a new router to swap out on the switch date so that does seem to be a route to remaining on copper in the short term.

That said, from what I'm seeing I suspect my parents are actually still on ADSL so I think my advice will be to accept a switch to full fibre sooner rather than later which will be cheaper and probably with a lower risk of issues impacting quality of service on the Digital Voice.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:40:14 GMT

Ah, yes, the BTw Checker confirms your parents are currently on 14 Meg ADSL.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

Schockwave — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:58:54 GMT

@XRaySpeX , I do not have a landline, have not had it for years now, not needed, use my mobile, have done for years. I know about the DV via the router for digital phones, not something I need.

Re: Fibre installation query - Pole fed, anchor point no longer accessible by ladder

XRaySpeX — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:14:37 GMT

Now I think of it the Full Fibre installing eng. wanted to remove the copper line & I had to warn him not to touch it as I still has a service on that line.