Cancelled Sky/CityFibre order

[mapster]

So, I ordered Sky full fibre as soon as the Cityfibre packages went live in my area a week ago. Today I get a call from Sky saying there is a problem and they need to cancel my order. Something about old technology on the line somewhere, in the cabinet I think they said, and that my line was using old technology called WLF3 (I may have that wrong), so couldn't do the update.

Sounds like some teething problems that both parties should have been aware of beforehand.

Has anyone else experienced this yet, or even know about this type of problem? And maybe have some idea of what's involved to resolve it? I'm just curious to know if it's a big or small problem.

[JimM1]

@mapster Do you currently have a FF circuit at home, or are you still on a copper based master socket line?

[mapster]

I'm still on copper and master box. City fibre is in my area but not openreach.

[GD1]

@mapster  You are already on the Openreach Network as they own the copper network you're currently on.

[JimM1]

@mapster As @GD1 points out you are on the OR but copper and if OR FF is not available, where currently is the CF circuit laid to at present if you know, one off the first to post up about the NEW partner so NOT a lot of info Forum wise about that, just to say fallen at the first hurdle. You may have to prise more information out of sky regarding the why can i not get it now....

[mapster]

I don't get it.

I may be wrong but were we all not on openreach untill several years ago, BT were the only network. Surely others have switched from copper/openreach to city fibre.

I'm currently in dialog with sky.

[GD1]

@mapster  Openreach is wholly owned by BT Group  who maintains the network for all the ISPs (except alnets like Cityfibre, Virgin Media etc).

None of Openreachs network has transferred to these altnets, they are new players bringing full Fibre to various areas.

Opnereach are themselves rolling out FTTP on their network with a target date of end of 2026 for complete rollout to most of the network.

[JimM1]

@mapster Openreach own all the cable poles equipment to your home, BT supply the phone service/broadband etc if you where with them.

The BT Group own OR/BT/EE/Plusnet etc but they are all separate companies on there own merit's that is why OR cannot show any favour to one or other's that use them, unless they want to get severely smacked by ofcom....

[mapster]

Thanks @JimM1 & @GD1 

I find it odd that the cityfibre postcode checker says I can connect to FF but sky currently say I can't.

I'll wait to see what Sky come back with, they're looking into it, but looks like I've got another max 18 month wait then.

[Deb3000]

Is there a CityFibre (CF) toby box in the pavement outside your house?  If not then there is no connection.

Also, how long ago do you think CF went live?  In my experience, (with OR, I must say), Sky take about 2 months to update their database with the new info.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@mapster 

On your first post cityfibre don't share exchanges or cabinets with openreach it is totally seperate. The only reference to wlf3 i can find is virgin media use of fibre to a central hub and coxial from there.  It just may be down to not being fully rolled out via sky yet. An  AI search on the topic suggests it might be june 2025.  Its a diffrent matter  city fibre being available through themselves and going thru cityfibre on behalf of sky .  Lets hope you get an update soon

[TimmyBGood]

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@mapster wrote:

Sounds like some teething problems that both parties should have been aware of beforehand.

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Sky use of CityFibre infrastructure is currently at 'open customer pilot phase' according to one reasonably reliable online source, which is often when teething problems get identified.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/05/isp-sky-broadband-launch-cityfibre-based-uk-full-fibre... 

[JZAB3R]

I am assuming the specific reference was to WLR3 (Wholesale Line Rental) which references technologies such as ADSL and FTTC used in conjunction with PSTN. Openreach are withdrawing these technologies for new sales.

It sounds like OR FTTP technology is not currently available, and as already stated City Fibre is only in a pilot phase with Sky, with limited availability.

If City Fibre is on your street then you would need to subscribe to one of their already established ISP's.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@JZAB3R 

City fibre does not run through openreach exchanges so what is or is not available thru openreach is of no consequence. The deal was struck presumably because sky can then access a potential 8  million customers thru Project Gigabit to supply hard to reach areas 

[JZAB3R]

@cookiemonsteruk Tell me that you didn't read my post properly without talking me you didn't read my post properly.