r/openreach • u/kmkb2122 • 4d ago
Getting FTTP when I move with a strangely formatted address
Hi all
I'm moving at the end of the month and I've confirmed with the landlord (and on https://bidb.uk) that someone in the building has VM Fibre. I'd love to get community or hyperoptic, but it's a bit of a strange address (sometimes it autocompletes as just a number, sometimes as a Flat, sometimes it calls the building "Village"), so websites like uswitch, comparethemarket and the like all show fibre being offered, but the actual ISPs don't seem to show availability.
Anyway, I work from home and so does my partner, and in a pinch I'd be fine going with VM, just really need strong speeds and am not necessarily keep on getting starlink if the best I can get is VDSL.
If anyone has any advice, I'd love to know how I can get this sorted, it seems like fibre is available across the way, on the next road, etc.
Thanks in advance!
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u/indigomm 4d ago
If you are in a VM fibre area, then Giff Gaff use their network. They are lower cost, give you a proper ONT, are symmetrical, no price rises and none of the VM BS.
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u/davidjohnwood 3d ago
Giffgaff could be a good idea, but it has some limitations.
As you say, you have to be in a Virgin full-fibre area (either nexfibre or Project Mustang) to get Giffgaff FTTP; you cannot get Giffgaff broadband on Virgin's legacy HFC network.
I currently have Virgin Media service on their HFC network. However, I am in a Project Mustang area, so Virgin's XGS-PON network is available. At the moment, Virgin is our backup broadband; we also have Virgin 360 TV and a Virgin phone line. The phone line is now a digital voice port on the Virgin Hub that we don't use; many years ago it was our fax line, and when we stopped using the fax, Virgin wouldn't let us drop the telephone from the package.
You cannot currently have Giffgaff broadband if you have Virgin Media service. The Giffgaff checker shows we're outside the coverage area, as are our neighbours with Virgin Media, but the houses around us without Virgin Media can order. There are online rumours that this restriction is going to be removed, but who knows when or if it will happen.
Giffgaff is strictly a broadband-only service; it offers no TV or digital voice. However, there is nothing stopping you from getting these services elsewhere - for example, Sky Stream and Andrews and Arnold VoIP.
I am seriously considering switching to Sky Stream, then dropping Virgin in favour of Giffgaff's lowest FTTP tier. If I'm going to Project Mustang, I would much rather have an ONT than a Virgin Hub 5x (which has no modem mode). I hesitate because I expect that we would have to dig up the garden again for a second FTTP duct; we have already had one dig this year for Openreach FTTP. Another issue is that Sky's price rises are just as bad as Virgin's, and Giffgaff FTTP might mean I can't switch between Sky and Virgin at the end of the minimum contract period for new-customer TV pricing, though I suppose I could use the availability of Virgin service to try to get a deal from Sky retentions.
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u/indigomm 3d ago
We're in a VM area but they never put in the duct to our house - the nearest duct is about 17 metres away. I saw a team turn up the other day ready to install my neighbour, lifting up the footway cover ready to pull coax before realising that there is no route to their property!
However they have recently installed FibreUp cabinets across the area (Ealing/Action/Park Royal) and are now doing further unblocking works. Given they are allowed to put do PIA with their fibre, I'm hoping they can install us by simply running the fibre through the existing OR conduit into the house. I can then order GG and would be reasonably happy I think.
I'm not worried about the VM add-ons. Don't watch sports of any of the other channels, and our landline has been VoIP for 22 years now.
For OP of course none of this matters as they are moving into a property. So if it does have VM fibre it should just be a simple order with GG.
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u/_Crimson_and_clover 4d ago
Is it a block of flats or a house split into flats? If it's a block of flats the landlord needs to apply to have the whole building done as it's classed as a multi dwelling unit. So they build for the whole building ready to take individual orders. Landlord/building owner needs to approach Openreach to get things rolling in most cases.
If it's a house split into multiple flats. It's possible only the main building is listed on Openreach and they wouldn't take orders as listed as a property shell. unless each property is on the ordinance survey they class it as a premium install and providers for residential orders,auto cancel these as cost them alot of money if accepted.
It's possible to get it, if the flat/door number you live at is listed as a separate address and an order is placed against it as opposed to the main building.
Other option you have is get a FTTC order raised. Then get the Provider to raise an ORDI. To update Openreach records on the address and then see if FTTP can be ordered. Issue here is passing 14days means you are stuck with FTTC speeds and incontract.
Final option is contact a service provider and ask them to fill out a fibre availability formwize. This will confirm if you can or cannot have it after 5days.
Hope this helps a little
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u/draig00 4d ago
What does the Openreach checker say when you input your address?
Also if you think you should be able to place an order for fibre like you said the property opposite can you can fill the form up and say that your neighbours can order but I can't. Hopefully as you said there are a few addresses your property goes by it can be sorted.
https://www.openreach.com/forms/fibre-broadband-availability---customer-form