Choosing a new broadband deal. They only let me choose existing adsl can’t upgrade to fibre.

Yorkshire_Pud

Presumably the comparison sites prices are for like for like service takeover but when they say ‘fibre is not available’ to my property it is incorrect. I know that fibre to the cabinet is available and for an extra £2 a month fibre would give me faster speeds on paper anyway.

It seems I will have to either upgrade my existing service albeit it is out of contract now and price has already increased after which I could move and choose fibre OR move now to a new provider with cashback for a good deal on an adsl line and then request an upgrade?

Thing is I think they tend to make you begin a new contract from the date of upgrade and may not stick to the £2 differential in the comparison site offer, but if I do it immediately it will kill my cashback, maybe as the contract has to be in operation for 120 days before payable and can’t assume they will pay it for a new contract!?

Would be grateful for any help or advice around the above ideas thanks and have I got my thinking accurate about how it works.

Neil_Jones

fibre not available could just be code for there is no space for you in the cabinet at this time.  Cabinets are not Dr Who style Tardis things that can take more and more connections, there will be a finite limit.

brewerdave

Neil_Jones said:

fibre not available could just be code for there is no space for you in the cabinet at this time.  Cabinets are not Dr Who style Tardis things that can take more and more connections, there will be a finite limit.

And it'll be even more likely that this is the reason , if full fibre(FTTP) s not yet available to you as a standard adsl2 connection cannot cope with the demands of modern households.

Yorkshire_Pud

I don’t think the broadband checker can check availability of adsl or fibre options, it can only offer a like for like line because it knows it’s already there to my property, hence adsl for me, fibre to my next door neighbour.

Guess I would have to contact my existing provider and ask if a fibre connection is available at the cabinet for myself at this time.

iniltous

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

Put your address into this checker , if the FTTC has no currently spare ports , it will show ‘waiting list’ , if it shows  ‘available’ then whatever the issue is , it’s not a full FTTC cabinet 

Yorkshire_Pud

iniltous said:

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

Put your address into this checker , if the FTTC has no currently spare ports , it will show ‘waiting list’ , if it shows  ‘available’ then whatever the issue is , it’s not a full FTTC cabinet 

Tried this but it says there is no data available for this number. Either because it is new or not a BT line. It’s old and from an open reach cabinet! I’m with Now/Sky

iniltous

That’s why I said to use your address and not a phone number , it only works with BTw numbers but all addresses 

C_Mababejive

My cab says waiting list for FTTP. I imagine it will stay like that for a long time as i doubt they are going to pipe fibre right to my home given the cost of doing that. I currently have FTTC and the copper pair isnt that long. I could just about see the cab if other houses were not in the way. BRSK planted poles earlier this year but have not fitted any connections to them yet.

Yorkshire_Pud

iniltous said:

That’s why I said to use your address and not a phone number , it only works with BTw numbers but all addresses 

Sorry missed that detail. Found my property says Waiting list. Also “the exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme”

Does that mean there is a queue of properties who have already requested upgrade to fibre to cabinet and I could join that queue but for now have to be happy with my adsl (up to 11Mb)

brewerdave

Yorkshire_Pud said:

iniltous said:

That’s why I said to use your address and not a phone number , it only works with BTw numbers but all addresses 

Sorry missed that detail. Found my property says Waiting list. Also “the exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme”

Does that mean there is a queue of properties who have already requested upgrade to fibre to cabinet and I could join that queue but for now have to be happy with my adsl (up to 11Mb)

Basically - yes - and unfortunately there is no way of finding out whether the list is one household or dozens. Also ,it isn't a true "waiting list" as it's pot luck if you apply to upgrade just as a port comes available.

Yorkshire_Pud

brewerdave said:

Yorkshire_Pud said:

iniltous said:

That’s why I said to use your address and not a phone number , it only works with BTw numbers but all addresses 

Sorry missed that detail. Found my property says Waiting list. Also “the exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme”

Does that mean there is a queue of properties who have already requested upgrade to fibre to cabinet and I could join that queue but for now have to be happy with my adsl (up to 11Mb)

Basically - yes - and unfortunately there is no way of finding out whether the list is one household or dozens. Also ,it isn't a true "waiting list" as it's pot luck if you apply to upgrade just as a port comes available.

That makes more sense now. When I select fibre although theoretically available as soon as they check my line it’s adsl and as they want a there and then online sale they can only offer me what I’ve already got otherwise it would be a limbo situation and ultimately no sale.

Did a check on a neighbour who has fibre as a new customer selected adsl and came up as not available so proves my theory I suppose.

Good news is I believe BT openreach are pledged to deliver fibre to the property to all homes in the UK by end of 2025 (yeah right 😆) 
Wonder if fibre can only be underground or in some cases overhead from the pole just replacing the copper wire!? So by then adsl will be obsolete, reason why it’s only £2 more a month for fibre now and Sky don’t even offer adsl as an option for new customers as far as I know.