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

[smithm36312]

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?

[JimM11]

@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

[smithm36312]

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?

[XRaySpeX]

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.

[smithm36312]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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".

[smithm36312]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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

[Schockwave]

@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.

[XRaySpeX]

@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.