FTTP installation through block paved road

[Dallybally]

Hi. I’m very tempted to join for the 1.6gbps connection, I already have EE sim and it’s a great offer for the new sims, which I need 2 of, and the 1.6 connection is the same price I’m paying for virgin 1gbps but only get half that as there’s some damage to the cable somewhere. It is reliable though. Anyway, I don’t get how they would install FTTP, my road and pavement are block paved at my end of the street, I presume they would have to dig up the blocks and make them good again. There’s no telephone poles near here. The middle houses on the street aren’t block paved, I’m thinking when I see my postcode has it available it’s probably not every house. I tried online chat but they were hopeless, told me to call but I bet I’ll get a call centre who don’t understand properly. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks a lot. 

[Mustrum]

Hopefully they won’t take long to do the survey and let you know.

[Dallybally]

Within the next 8 days supposedly. I presume the cable will take 1.6gbps even if I go for 900mbps? They thought so on phone but weren’t sure. Really good offer on 900 and it’s fast enough. Only getting 500 with virgin due to cable damage and that’s enough. I can check with the openreach guy when they phone after survey I guess.  

[Dallybally]

Marvellous, openreach just text me to say they are installing a cable underground, they’ve not done a survey or anything. I replied that they couldn’t access it without someone being here, which is a lie but it did say they would do a survey if they couldn’t access it. They replied they will now do that at the same time as installation. Which I presume is not possible. Not sure I have energy to wait 40 mins on hold for tech team again. 

[Dallybally]

Turns out they can do it, there are ducts under the block paving where the phone line runs (in my case used to run, we lost the end of the line at the house but there’s still stuff underground). They whip out the phone line from the box on the street then push the fibre down the same ducts using poles. 

[Dallybally]

See my last reply, they can do it without digging up block paving road. They did also say they could dig a few blocks up to get into house if they have to, they make it right and take photos before and after to prove it’s ok.