Hot and cold messages from EE/openreach is this usual?

[Spik3y]

Hi all.

I'm just migrating from plusnet to EE with an engineers appointment for fibre install  for May 19th.  I'm getting opposite text messages on alternate days.  First day suggesting everythings on track, then next day saying sorry slight delay and repeat.  I just wondered if this is usual ?  The router and ATA came today, so at least thats here.

Fibre has only just become available here. (rural  low population area)

[XRaySpeX]

No, it's usually straightforward. Maybe there is some obstacle at your location.

What does BT Wholesale Broadband Availability Checker > Address Checker estimate for your address? Post the whole table, the text below it and the line above it, blanking out your address.

[JimM11]

@Spik3y The important ones are from OR Openreach doing the install, EE will be assuming that everything is on track for the installation unless they get informed by OR with any delay! Text's etc from the installation team, just watch out for and confirm if requested that it is good to go...

[Spik3y]

Well thats interesting the checker link you provide using my phone number is saying no but the checker link I used said yes.

@XRaySpeX This is from the link you gave:

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream HandbackThreshold(Mbps) WBC FTTC Availability WBC SOGEA Availability Left in JumperHigh Low High Low        VDSL Range A (Clean)

VDSL Range B (Impacted)

G.fast Range A (Clean)

G.fast Range B (Impacted)

20.8	13.1	1.3	0.8	10	Unavailable	Available	--
20.2	11.4	1.2	0.8	7.9	Unavailable	Available	--
--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--	--
--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--	--

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range (Mbps) Availability Date FTTP Install ProcessFTTP on Demand

1000

220

--

Available

--

Observed Speeds ADSLMax Observed Downstream SpeedMax Observed Upstream SpeedObserved Date

12.49

0.83

2026-04-13

Other Offerings Availability DateVDSL Multicast

Available

Premise Environment StatusBridge TapVRINTE FacePlateLast Test Date

U

N

N

02-05-2026

Exchange Product Restrictions StatusFTTP Priority ExchangeWLR WithdrawalSOADSL Restriction

N

Y

N

FTTP is not available.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

[Spik3y]

Whereas the information from this link using the address says yes  https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressFeatureProduct

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream HandbackThreshold(Mbps) WBC FTTC Availability WBC SOGEA AvailabilityHigh Low High Low      VDSL Range A (Clean)

VDSL Range B (Impacted)

G.fast Range A (Clean)

G.fast Range B (Impacted)

20.8	13.1	1.3	0.8	10	Unavailable	Available
20.2	11.4	1.2	0.8	7.9	Unavailable	Available
--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--
--	--	--	--	--	Unavailable	--

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range (Mbps) Availability Date FTTP Install ProcessWBC FTTP

Up to 1000

Up to 220

--

Available

1 Stage

Other Offerings Availability DateVDSL Multicast

Available

Exchange Product Restrictions StatusFTTP Priority ExchangeWLR WithdrawalSOADSL Restriction

N

Y

N

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed joint user pole.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

Thank you for your interest

By submitting a query into this checker you accept Terms of Use for this checker.

[Spik3y]

EE customer services checked the address etc and confirmed it was available, and one of our neighbours has been promised too.   So confused now to say the least.

[JimM11]

@Spik3y As long as you use the address checker, BT Broadband

and fill the Number and Postcode fields that is generally enough, as long as the exchange has all the needed equipment to patch over to EE then if you can see that more than likely you will get the FF install done. Below mine when cleared for viewing.

All the BTW info, and already have FF installed.

[Spik3y]

@JimM11 

Fingers crossed then.   The one I checked previously was address and postcode.

Openreach were out and about 2 weeks ago  and the chap we spoke to reckoned it was all ready to go. We have a wind farm a few miles up the track and they have been pushing for fibre -  I dont know if that actually made any difference to time lines.

The last text message says "Full fibre is in high demand in your area , our engineers are working hard to get your property ready" but I cant tell whether thats EE or openreach theres  no details just the phone number it came from

I'm not sure if all these messages are meant to reassure me or worry me.   I've got to the age where I get myself in a state over changes, and apparently (according to husband -  think Peter Pan never growing old) I am the responsible adult so its my job.  🙄

[JimM11]

@Spik3y The info you posted, did say that the connection for the fibre was up the pole and you are going to be OH fed more than likely just like you copper connection, if so just take a look, there would be what OR calls a CBT fitted, they use multiple types just depending what the connection is going to be, so my one is an 8 port CBT to feed 8 homes in total just like the copper connection.... Picture is attached once again when cleared for viewing. LHS is OR, RHS is VM Virgin Media.

Top off the pole, larger one is VM Virgin Media, smaller is the CBT with the 3 homes connected.

[Spik3y]

Just the old connection up the pole on the boundary at the moment, I haven't seen them about since last week.    Theres only 2 cottages here and next door just have a phone at present.