OpenReach cables

[RuthM]

We've just signed up to a new Sky broadband contract, after years of using other providers. OpenReach installed fibre cables in our road a couple of years ago and we know that we have the right connection up to the property boundary. However, I've just received this message:

Openreach need to lay the casings which will protect the cables from damage. This will be from the telephone exchange to your property. Further work will be required when this is completed.

It doesn't make any sense. The cables are there, laid and being used by neighbours. It doesn't seem possible to reply to the message on my request to get more information from Sky support staff. So, I'm posting here in the hope that someone from Sky can find out what's going on. I know that a cable needs to be laid from the front of the property up to the house, but the message says from the exchange - that sounds like massive amounts of digging up roads and therefore months of waiting. 

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

@RuthM 

Putting the address into the BT Wholesale Availability Checker should indicate which provisioning type is applicable.

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

It's the table and the two text lines below it which are most useful.

Remove any personal information (such as the address itself) if you post an image.

[RuthM]

It says:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG Pre built to curtilage Hard.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

[RuthM]

@TimmyBGood 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@RuthM 

That indicates you are getting a full fibre connection which is only up to the perimeter of your property. Openreach will have to lay underground fibre right up to the outside wall and then install a fibre optic modem (ont) inside

[TimmyBGood]

@RuthM 

And it's flagged as a 'Hard' dig (i.e. through tarmac/concrete/brick) rather then 'Soft' (soil)

[RuthM]

Yes, I was expecting them to need to dig from pavement to house, but the message from Sky says from the exchange. 

I think the ground is neither hard nor soft, it's a gravel drive so not concrete but not lawn either.

[mormegil]

That message is a generic message that was used when the delay was worked by sky, either the agent miss read the delay notification or openreach have left vague notes on your order

[TimmyBGood]

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@RuthM wrote:

I think the ground is neither hard nor soft, it's a gravel drive so not concrete but not lawn either.

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I believe anything but turf/flowerbed is 'Hard' in Openreach terminology.

[AnnaKol]

My question is: can Sky be used through the cable? we are moving to the house with the cable.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@AnnaKol 

What cable do you have?

Could you enter your full address where you broadband is to be installed and post the table and notes after removing your address from the image

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

[TimmyBGood]

@AnnaKol 

Sky Broadband cannot be delivered over the Virgin coaxial cable network, if that's what you mean.  It also cannot currently use optical fibre laid by anyone but Openreach.