Openreach FTTP lack of usable fibre capacity

Giganet uses the Openreach network to deliver full-fibre FTTP broadband to customers. Openreach's full-fibre network is extensive and covers over 2.5 million premises (at the time of writing).

In very rare circumstances, it may be the case that after an UltraBEAM order has been placed, it's identified that there's a lack of FTTP usable fibre capacity to deliver the service within standard lead times. The lack of usable fibre capacity usually describes that the nearby fibre connection point (CBT) is full, and additional physical fibre capacity needs to be provided before your order can be delivered.

Usually your order will trigger notifications to the various Openreach fibre infrastructure teams to increase the capacity in the network to deliver the service as soon as possible, however the lead time for the service can extend to many weeks as physical works have to take place in the street to deliver this.

By continuing with a "Delayed - Network Capacity" order, you will receive the service as soon as possible. No other Openreach provider will be able to deliver a service sooner. We're all in the same situation. By cancelling your Giganet UltraBEAM order and waiting without an order in the system, there is no guarantee that the fibre capacity increases will take place in the background.

So our advice is that if you would like an UltraBEAM full-fibre FTTP connection as soon as possible, and can wait, then please bear with us and Openreach, and we'll ensure that our supplier Openreach will increase the network capacity ASAP to deliver the service as soon as we can.

More detailed information

Where there's a lack of usable fibre capacity, it usually means that the nearby fibre connection point (CBT) is full. This is where a fibre cable is connected to, and then routes to your property either overhead or underground.

CBT - Connectorised Block Terminal

To explain more about the CBT and what this is. Openreach CBT (connectorised block terminal) is full with other nearby customer connections. The CBT can be seen below on the top of a telephone pole and within a chamber in the ground.

Why is the CBT full?

• Higher take up than forecast for the FTTP full-fibre broadband from customers planned to route via this CBT.
• Houses converted to flats/apartments, and one planned connection point is now 2,3,4 or more.
• New build homes/premises that would route via this CBT.
• Customers having second FTTP lines at their same premises. (rare with FTTP)

How quickly can additional usable fibre capacity be provided?

There is no service level provided by Openreach for this.

However we're aware that this can take many weeks, and potentially over a month.

Your options

If we advise on your order that there are network capacity issues, then you will have choice on how to proceed:

1. Cancel the order without penalty and for a full-refund
2. Continue with the order, and wait for the upgrade works to complete before having the connection. This may take considerable time - often many many months.