'Full fibre available now' - not seen any Openreach workers

[Wurst1]

We've been notified by Openreach that full fibre is now available for our address. Sure enough, when I check Sky's website and click 'upgrade', I can now order up to 900MB 'Gigafast' full fibre.

The thing is, we have a huge 20ft block paved driveway, a grass verge, and a brick wall all between our home and the pavement where the ducts are, and I've only seen Openreach engineers working on the pavement a few weeks ago. Nobody has done anything with the block paved driveway or anything near our home.

My understanding was, they would need to run/tunnel a brand new full fibre cable from the pavement to our property (either digging up the block paving, or tunneling under). 

If we ordered Gigafast, does that mean all that work has somehow been done already and it's just a normal engineer visit, or does that then initiate the work I've talked about above?

Apologies if I've got something wrong here - maybe Openreach have developed different technology that makes installs like this easier.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Wurst1 

If you enter your full postal address below and post the table and notes after removing your address from the image we would have a better idea what route they'll take

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome

[Wurst1]

Thanks @cookiemonsteruk 

Here's a screenshot of the table (might need moderating first), and I've posted the notes below it:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG premises served by 2.5 Inch plastic duct 56.

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

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Wurst1 

Just authorised the table could you post the notes below as well

[Wurst1]

Notes added below the screenshot (I've removed the general stuff below it).

[cookiemonsteruk · Accepted solution]

@Wurst1 

Underground and served by an existing duct.  They may use rod and rope.  Like electricians a flexible carbon rod with the fibre optic attached and threaded thru the existing duct.  Stage 1 install at the end of wbc fttp is also the easiest and implies that they can do it without digging hopefully

[Wurst1]

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@cookiemonsteruk wrote:

@Wurst1 

Underground and served by an existing duct.  They may use rod and rope.  Like electricians a flexible carbon rod with the fibre optic attached and threaded thru the existing duct.  Stage 1 install at the end of wbc fttp is also the easiest and implies that they can do it without digging hopefully

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Ahhh. Not sure how to feel about that. Virgin Media tried to install a few years back using an existing duct and found the duct was collapsed and couldn't go ahead with it. I don't know what level of surveying Openreach have done and found differently or just assumed that duct is intact.

I'm guessing we would just have to take the risk, place the order and hope they find things aren't as bad as I think.

I assume if they do find it collapsed, it won't be a quick turnaround and they'll have to come back at a later date (probably weeks/months) to do more heavy duty work which they'll make good again.

Appreciate the help @cookiemonsteruk 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Wurst1 

They would know the type of duct but maybe not the condition. Although where it says served by an existing duct is often is often supplemented either by congested or collapsed duct.  So go ahead with the order and take it from there.