Overhead cables not wanted

Penllithrig

I’m fortunate to live in a house with a decent view of the Carneddau mountains in north Wales. The phone lines are all underground so as not to spoil the view. But, with the introduction of full fibre broadband to the area, they’ve installed poles and wires to save money. I’d never noticed how ugly they are until now. 

Anyway I thought I’d share a lesson I learned from a recent failed switch. One of the questions I was asked by both new and current companies was:
”If there was a power cut in your area and you needed to phone the emergency services, would you have another means of calling them?”
As most people have mobile phones that wouldn’t be a problem. But, if you don’t want a new overhead cable coming to your house, tell them no! They then have to use the existing underground cable with its own power supply. It won’t be full fibre to the house but you’ll avoid the unsightly overhead cables.

molerat

But you won't be given that choice in the near future.  The copper is being switched off.  In many places now any change of provision, for instance a new occupier, FTTP will be the only option if it is available.

Penllithrig

In my case they reconnected the copper because I told them I had no other means to call emergency services. If there’s a power cut, phone over the internet doesn’t work.

EssexExile

But as Molerat says, the copper gets turned off in the next couple of years. That avenue won't be open then.

brewerdave

EssexExile said:

But as Molerat says, the copper gets turned off in the next couple of years. That avenue won't be open then.

The "old" phone system (PSTN) is due for shutdown in late 2025 BUT it doesn't mean everyone will have access to FTTP by then and may never get it .
 The intention (as I currently understand it) is that phone only customers will still be served by the copper lines with the phone service provided by VOIP using a very basic modem until/if their area is provisioned for full fibre. IF their is no mobile coverage then the providers should equip the user with a back up power supply for the modem.- but that isn't certain.