What does 'broadband activation' actually mean

AlCapwn

So as I'm sitting here waiting for my new broadband connection to start working, I was wondering, what does 'activation' mean at a technical level.
As far as I know, an Openreach Engineer has to do something in a cabinet. Anyone have insight into the technical part of this? 
What does the new provider have to do on their end to make sure everything's working OK?

Browntoa

Activation is the software part , openreach task gets closed to say that the exchange work is done , activation task is next. Someone sitting on a computer does the work to activate your authority to use their network . 5 minute job

Mines been done at 2am somewhere else in the world in the past

iniltous

What is your current status, no line at all, phone line waiting for broadband, or currently with both waiting for new provider ?
If you are getting or changing FTTC , then work is required in the fibre cab, that is sited close to the copper cab that services you home, in essence, the cable pair to your home is intercepted in the copper cab, diverted into the fibre cab and connected to a VDSL port (in) the output of that port is connected back to the copper cab, where its connected to the cable pair that then goes to your home, if changing FTTC provider the copper cab work probably not needed just the fibre cab....this is much like the way ADSL is connected in the exchange, the connection intercepted and passed into and out of the ADSL kit, or if LLU in and out of TAMS
There is also work for the ISP to do, this could be done in advance, or if they say it could be up-to 24hrs after the physical work, then that is up to them, sometimes changing provider ( BT to Sky for example ) also needs work in the exchange, as well as work in the cab, a lot depends on the actual circumstances 
As far as what the ISP does to check, probably nothing, if it doesn’t work, they assume you will contact them asking why no service, chances are at that point they will do some checks

dcfc67

I queried this with Virgin.

I said someone comes to me house digs up the law, lays cables, puts the turf back, hard wires and sets up the Tivo box and wifi hub all for free them the engineer calls some geek on his mobile who presses a button from his office and I get charged a fee for this so call activation.

Yes was the reply. I said if you want me as a customer you waive this fee which they did.

if you don't complain you don't get.

I left Virgin 4 days after installation as they lied about the speed and products I was offered and got a better deal re contracting with SKY

AlCapwn

Thanks for the insight, plenty of technical stuff for me to read up on it seems
I was transferring from Sky to Vodafone - it made sense when comparing prices & speeds.