UFO Broadband (York only)

[TimmyBGood]

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@joofridley wrote:

Hi @paula+wilkinson 

The downside to FTTP, as we are all doscovering, is Sky have no clue they provide it, getting any kind of support is a nightmare, in the event it goes down you could be without internet for days, and no one knows how long it will be supported for.

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That's not entirely correct: Sky has been offering FTTP nationally over the Openreach fibre-optic network for more than a year, and now has both a 150Mbs and 500Mbs service.  The issue with UFO in York is that the underlying infrastructure isn't Openreach, but fibre commissioned privately by the original UFO partnership in 2014-15 and installed/operated by Cityfibre.

After a bit of digging we’ve managed to learn that ownership of the joint venture does indeed split three ways, with Sky and TalkTalk both putting £5 million into the roll-out (CityFibre’s contribution is through their existing network / assets). Apparently none of BTOpenreach’s infrastructure will be used (i.e. no use of their cable ducts via PIA). The new network will thus remain entirely separate, with micro-trenching being part of the process to help build it.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/04/sky-broadband-talktalk-cityfibre-launch-1gbps-home-bro... 

[joofridley]

yes,you are correct - i should have been more specific, it is UFO FTTP they have no clue about

[darthanian42]

In my experience they are clueless about a great many things 🤣🤣

[Davidinyork]

With the imminent release of Sky Glass and it's total dependence on streaming via internet and now that Sky have said they are not cancelling our service, can anyone from Sky confirm that our UFO FTTP will be maintained for the foreseeable in York?

[ukpab]

Hi all again.. 

@jameshin  - you say your speedtest shows great results and speed - can you let me know what speedtest you are using...

it seems to be all smoke and mirrors here - - I'm now sorted on TalkTalk - waited 14 days for service to stabilise - but their "normal" speed checking service is apparently not compatible with UFO - they advised to use Fast.com - -which shows pants results - - so an engineer was called - said my router was fine but checked with another router - all fine - but slow speeds... if I use Speedtest.net I generally get fast results - but not consistently as fast as their contract with me states... and they say speedtest.net is also not compatible with UFO.  They sent a second router - same issue -  .. I actually get faster speeds on wireless than through ethernet connection.

I may just retire - move into the hills and sack off broadband altogether....

[jameshin]

@ukpab just done one , no complaints from me !

 

[ukpab]

Hi @jameshin ,

Thats my point -  that looks to be a speedtest.net result - TalkTalk told me not to use this as its not compatible with UFO - they say only to use fast.com  - the speeds on there are way slower...

[jameshin]

@ukpab 

Not sure why they say that as the speed test website says otherwise.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.speedtest.net/insights/blog/are-you-gigabit-ready-17-tips-to-help...

[darthanian42]

@ukpab I'm not up to date with the latest technology, but the idea that a service that tests how fast bits and bytes travel between two points is "incompatible" with a certain service seems.... wrong.

[niccia]

Just reading this thread and hoping someone can help me.....

I got the letter from Sky about them withdrawing the UFO service and was told by Talk Talk that they couldn't take it over until Sky had ceased to provide their service.

Signed up to Fibre65 with Talk Talk as a stop-gap with the intention of cancelling it within the 30 day period once I was able to activate the UFO.

The Sky service ceased on 4 October and I have still not been able to sign up with Talk Talk.

Initially they told me Sky hadn't ceased their service and after 7 phone calls to Sky someone from UFO eventually phoned me back, was particularly rude and said that they had done everything at their end.

Another phone call to Talk Talk and they told me that the cabinet was full.

Then they phoned me back and said it was down to Sky after all. Another 6 phone calls to Sky, explaining to them that they had a UFO team and advising how to contact them, before someone phoned me back (up at around 6 hours of my time on the phone now trying to sort this) and said they would re-attempt the cease on my line and get back to me......this was over 2 weeks ago and still waiting.

Another 3 phone calls to Talk Talk and they are now saying they have no idea why my line is showing as unavailable (it is available to both my next door neighbours).

Anyone know what I need to do or who I need to contact? 

The Fibre65 is nowhere near quick enough for our requirements and I can't get Virgin or any other provider at speeds any quicker than I'm currently on.  

Thanks