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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: dujas on Jan 21, 2010, 12:10:20

Title: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: dujas on Jan 21, 2010, 12:10:20
BT retail will be taking orders for FTTC products from the 25th of January, the service is called BT Infinity (http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=28987).
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Simon on Jan 21, 2010, 12:11:53
Is that because it will be infinitely bad?  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 12:36:14
Probably. :(
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 12:39:22
The worst lager in the world   ;D

I just checked my number and according to Bt........I would LOSE speed  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Inkblot on Jan 21, 2010, 13:56:56
Quote from: David on Jan 21, 2010, 12:39:22
The worst lager in the world   ;D

I just checked my number and according to Bt........I would LOSE speed  ;D

Same here - BT are quoting me 6m which is a lot slower than my old IDNet Max (Usually synched at 8m) or my current IDNet ADSL2+ (Usually synchs at around 11m)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 14:21:57
Like me you are going to sign up then ink ?  :hehe:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Sebby on Jan 21, 2010, 14:41:18
I can't wait to see what happens to BT's network. :)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 17:05:40
Congestion, congestion, congestion...
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 21, 2010, 17:19:58
The BT "can I get it" button says "Great news! We have tested your line and you can get the UK's most complete broadband, BT Total Broadband. you can get: 6.5mb".
So it defaults to ASDL2 etc if you cannot get FTTC. However, I they are cheaky there and don't make that obvious. So would that explain the slow speeds they are talking about?
Does FTTC suffer from the same troube that effects ASDL? I would have thought there is no "noise" on the line (unless the badgers all have torches now :D). But what about distance?
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 17:21:51
Well they are very sett in their ways  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 17:26:37
Distance shouldn't matter, Ben, as fibre can have noiseless repeaters on long runs.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 21, 2010, 17:48:49
Quote from: Simon on Jan 21, 2010, 12:11:53
Is that because it will be infinitely bad?  ;D
Doesn't the "I" in IDNet stand for "Infinity"? ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 17:58:51
It does. ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 18:00:21
Quote from: Noreen on Jan 21, 2010, 17:48:49
Doesn't the "I" in IDNet stand for "Infinity"? ;D

And beyond  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 18:05:46
Where no man has ever exchanged packets.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 18:07:03
 :zip: :hide2: You are not getting me banned  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 18:08:00
 ;D

Go on, it's ages since I've done that...  :evil:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: David on Jan 21, 2010, 18:09:13
 :no: Yes all of  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Fox on Jan 21, 2010, 20:47:50
Quote from: Rik on Jan 21, 2010, 18:08:00
Go on, it's ages since I've done that...  :evil:

But I still think it was a bit harsh banning your own wife Rik  :pullface:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: D-Dan on Jan 21, 2010, 23:53:50
I just did the test - but I'm not convinced it is testing FTTC speed. It said I could get something approximating what I already have, too ( though slower) despite my being in eyesight of the cabinet, and in terms of distance, maybe 200 yards.

I think the speed estimation is still based on the copper connection.

We are due to go live with FTTC here in March (though I've yet to see a BT engineer even approach the cabinet) so maybe I'll try again after that.

Steve
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: esh on Jan 22, 2010, 10:16:16
To be honest 8Mbit down is just dandy, but I could really do with that upband rate. That said 800Kbit is godlike compared to the 128Kbit I used to run on.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: DarkStar on Jan 22, 2010, 12:34:53
Just tried it and says I can get 2.5mb download now but the top line says they are upgrading my exchange and I will be able to get the same 2.5mb download when upgraded 29 June 2010. That will be good  ::)
According to the info in my IDNet portal I am/was due to be upgraded in Feb 2010, it looks as though there is another time slip. Well, fancy that. It will have slipped by over 18 months since BT first gave an activation date for my exchange.
Although I'm not all that far from Martlesham there obviously isn't a BT executive living in my neck of the woods  :whistle:
WBC - I'll believe when I see it never mind FTTC.


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Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 12:37:24
The slippages on WBC have been unforgivable, especially when combined with the backhaul issues. WE can only hope BT learn from it. Sadly, I fear they will not have done.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 22, 2010, 12:42:38
My nephew who works for BT on the new fibre installations (in office) is working seven days a week at the moment!
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 12:44:48
But is he actually doing anything, Noreen. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: bobleslie on Jan 22, 2010, 13:14:21
 :rofl:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Glenn on Jan 22, 2010, 13:25:02
Anyone want to buy a 2 bed bungalow in Sandhurst, I need to move 200yds, to a house on Crowthorne exchange,  :mad:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 14:37:17
I'll buy one 200 yards up the road, Glenn.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 22, 2010, 18:12:25
Quote from: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 12:44:48
But is he actually doing anything, Noreen. ;)
I'm assured that he is, Rik, he's a very conscientious chap.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 18:18:44
Ask him if he could do an early rollout here, could you. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Lance on Jan 22, 2010, 21:59:30
And here!

We are only 25 miles or so from adastral park, so if BT want to try out new tech not to far from where they develop it...
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 23, 2010, 10:41:24
Quote from: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 18:18:44
Ask him if he could do an early rollout here, could you. ;)
Huh! What about me? ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 23, 2010, 11:11:48
You've already got much better speed than me. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 23, 2010, 12:59:16
Just heard that my nephew is working from 7.30am to around 5.30pm Mon to Sat and until around 2.30pm on Sunday. :eek4:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 23, 2010, 13:01:47
It's not that far to Milton Keynes, Noreen. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 23, 2010, 17:03:42
From where, Rik?
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 23, 2010, 17:07:53
Anywhere. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 24, 2010, 17:25:08
I saw my nephew this afternoon and he said that at the moment he and his team are working on fibre installation for a couple of the mobile phone companies, working to a deadline. So he doesn't know anything about dates for ordinary broadband customers. :(
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 24, 2010, 17:34:02
So we're not good enough for him, eh? ;)

The amount of fibre going in the ground at the moment must be vast.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Noreen on Jan 24, 2010, 18:10:01
He gets less than 2mbps on his own connection, BT of course. ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 24, 2010, 18:12:39
 ;D

I almost know how he feels.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: colonelsun on Jan 24, 2010, 20:27:05
But aren't BT just duplicating what Virgin Media has done in the same areas and just hoping to mop up disgruntled VM subscribers?

I see no evidence BT are busting a gut to upgrade anyone living in the sticks.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: dujas on Jan 24, 2010, 21:43:46
BT Openreach are targeting the most profitable areas for FTTC upgrades, which VM and LLU ISPs also target... :(
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: zappaDPJ on Jan 26, 2010, 10:21:48
Quote from: dujas on Jan 24, 2010, 21:43:46
BT Openreach are targeting the most profitable areas for FTTC upgrades, which VM and LLU ISPs also target... :(

Indeed, I live opposite an estate which only the very rich can afford and they had the FTTC cab put in around 2 years ago. It was one if the first in the country I believe. The slightly odd thing is according to BT I'm not on it and I can see it from my front gate  ???
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Pix on Jan 26, 2010, 14:00:13
Quote from: colonelsun on Jan 24, 2010, 20:27:05
I see no evidence BT are busting a gut to upgrade anyone living in the sticks.
I'm lucky enough to be in one of BT's 2 FTTC rural trial areas and our exchange got FTTC this month. I wouldn't say I'm exactly in the sticks but we are usually among the last to get anything to the extent that we still can't get Channel 5 on the telly without a sattellite dish. A local syndicate was (and still is) looking to set up FTTP in the area independently which probably had a lot to do with us being bumped up the queue for once.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Glenn on Jan 26, 2010, 14:17:41
I have been talking to our BT engineer at work. According to him, BT will start installing the equipment next month, but the BT announcement was a live date of yesterday.  :dunno:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 26, 2010, 14:34:53
Par for the course, Glenn.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 26, 2010, 17:39:29
Is that why we have had so much trouble? BT have been running on a golfing score system? The lower your connection speed the better!
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 26, 2010, 17:40:24
:lol: :karmic:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: troesma on Jan 27, 2010, 17:31:38
Quote from: Rik on Jan 22, 2010, 12:37:24
The slippages on WBC have been unforgivable, especially when combined with the backhaul issues. WE can only hope BT learn from it. Sadly, I fear they will not have done.

Meaning, quite simply, that you're buying a ticket for a tour into the wild, wild west. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: troesma on Jan 27, 2010, 17:33:34
Quote from: Technical Ben on Jan 26, 2010, 17:39:29
Is that why we have had so much trouble? BT have been running on a golfing score system? The lower your connection speed the better!

Epic..!  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: zappaDPJ on Jan 28, 2010, 16:41:29
Hmmm, BT have just rang me and offered a BT Infinity package (option 2). I'm now totally confused. I know we have an FTTC enabled exchange but neither BT (via the web) or IDNet via 3 sources can confirm that my line is FTTC ready.

FTTC via BT would solve a potential bandwidth allowance issue I'm going to have from now on but I'll be damned if I'm moving away from IDNet.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2010, 17:07:49
BT's systems do leave a lot to be desired, or is it to the imagination? :(
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: bobleslie on Jan 28, 2010, 17:30:53
Quote from: zappaDPJ on Jan 28, 2010, 16:41:29
Hmmm, BT have just rang me and offered a BT Infinity package (option 2). I'm now totally confused. I know we have an FTTC enabled exchange but neither BT (via the web) or IDNet via 3 sources can confirm that my line is FTTC ready.

FTTC via BT would solve a potential bandwidth allowance issue I'm going to have from now on but I'll be damned if I'm moving away from IDNet.

Oh go on. Someone's got to be first.  :evil:
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: zappaDPJ on Jan 28, 2010, 17:36:10
I'm sure the same thing was said when they invented the guillotine  ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2010, 17:38:21
Not to mention the electric chair...
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: zappaDPJ on Jan 28, 2010, 18:05:29
I thought the guillotine analogy more apt Rik. Afterall, both the guillotine and BT are rather adept at servering a perfectly good connection  :laugh: ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2010, 18:19:28
:rofl: :karmic:

While the chair may not make one. ;)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: johnny5 on Jan 28, 2010, 22:52:01
Quote from: zappaDPJ on Jan 28, 2010, 18:05:29
I thought the guillotine analogy more apt Rik. Afterall, both the guillotine and BT are rather adept at servering a perfectly good connection  :laugh: ;D

Thats worth a sid james! 

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Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2010, 22:54:22
That reminds me, when's the new series of The Apprentice?  :)x
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: colonelsun on Jan 29, 2010, 20:36:20
I don't get BT. They're late in understanding the potential of the web and appeared to think everyone in the country would be satisfied with dial up, broadband then arrives, or their version of it, and again they seem to think the public will put up with anything and now super fast broadband is on the horizon for some and their business plan appears to be replicating Virgin Medias' footprint for a quick profit and upsetting every other potential customer in the UK by limiting the spread of this product to those who already have multiple broadband choices.

I'm not sure but isn't a business supposed to make a profit once in a while....i cannot see the point of excluding potential customers, lots of them, that's no way of ensuring a revenue stream now that landline rental isn't their main earner.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: dujas on Jan 29, 2010, 22:37:27
Your comments don't really make much sense as BT Openreach generated the 2nd highest operating profits of the BT Group, for the first six months of 2009. The group's current issue is with the continued losses made by BT Global Services and the pension deficit.

I imagine FTTC roll-out is largely influenced by where BT Retail/Wholesale can best maximise a return from it.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2010, 11:34:28
Which, of course, it shouldn't be as a result of the separation of OR from the rest of the business. Well done, Ofcom.  ::)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: dujas on Jan 30, 2010, 16:29:27
I think it's partly unavoidable because they have overlapping interests.

BT Retail the ISP and phone company must be BT Wholesale's biggest customer, so what is best for one member of the group is also helping boost the profits of another. It wouldn't surprise me if they were targeting VM cable customers, now they are allowed by Ofcom to offer more competitively priced broadband, phone and TV bundles, combined with matching (on paper) broadband speeds via FTTC.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2010, 16:33:15
I tend to agree, but I don't think that's what Ofcom intended to happen, for all that.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: dujas on Feb 03, 2010, 18:38:07
Perhaps BT needs to train its FTTC install engineers better...  :laugh:

QuoteThis is a report from a customer and not something that was recorded so on here not the A&A status pages. It is however totally unacceptable...

It seems our favourite telco are not playing fair, or at least one engineer is not...

Turned up at customer to install FTTC, and refused to!

He insisted that "only BT Retail and Carphone Warehouse were capable of doing FTTC".
And went on to "take ISP name to report to his manager".

He refused to install saying that as the customer "has no homehub then he can't continue the install".

Our customer reports "After I insisted - strongly - that he was wrong about the need for a homehub he tried to blame the whole thing on AAISP who, apparently, were lying to me...", "Oh, and the last time the engineer left he had also gone to 'phone his manager' but merely f..ed off with his van" and "He said he'd have to pass the job 'back to BT retail sales'"

I rather suspect some sort of audio recording device will be deployed for the return visit.

Oh, to add to the fun, the end users line has been configured somehow in the exchange in such a way that it has sync but PPP links are dropped a few seconds after they start. So his ADSL no longer works!
Source (http://revk.www.me.uk/2010/02/cant-have-fttc-you-need-home-hub.html)
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2010, 18:42:13
What a stupid way to behave, but totally believable, unfortunately. BT Retail can't possibly be involved in this.
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: OllB on Feb 09, 2010, 20:32:16
Broadband option     Estimated connection speed    When you can get it 

BT Total Broadband      0.256Mb download             Now

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

At least i found that i can get a general idea of my line status without having to run the bt speed test but it also makes me feel that someone somewhere at BT is mocking me. :red:


Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Technical Ben on Feb 09, 2010, 22:32:20
Quote from: Rik on Feb 03, 2010, 18:42:13
What a stupid way to behave, but totally believable, unfortunately. BT Retail can't possibly be involved in this.

Oh, but I would put money on the new "fibreoptic broadband" being the new "unlimited broadband". In the same way that unlimited is not, I think the fibre will not be either!
Think of it this way. All they need to do is put one big advert up like this...

QuoteSuper Fast Fibre Optic Broadband*!

*For thouse who cannot get FTTC, you get the next best connection**
** For those who cannot get ASDL2+ you get the next best connection***
***For those who cannot get ASDL you get the next best connection****
****For those who cannot get Dialup, a BTpigeonHub will be installed...

Hmmm. Think I could copyright that and sell it to BT!?  >:D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Simon on Feb 09, 2010, 22:36:07
 ;D
Title: Re: FTTC goes mainstream
Post by: Sebby on Feb 10, 2010, 16:36:38
:hehe: