topic Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line? in Full Fibre

how to physically remove the old external copper line?

ypwlng — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:59:01 GMT

Now that my upgrade from copper (Fibre 150) to FTTP (Fibre 500) is more or less complete, I would like to know how to get the external copper wire removed.

There are now two cables from the telephone pole, coming into different points in my house. One is the old copper wire. The other is the new fibreoptic cable - which enters into a different part of my house at my request.

I will soon be doing some renovation works to the part of the house where the old copper cable enters, which means I need to have the copper cable removed.

What is the procedure for requesting this to be done?

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

Gliwmaeden2 — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 08:07:53 GMT

Staff will respond after the weekend, @ypwlng.

Usually Talktalk would need to contact Openreach on your behalf and confirm whether it incurs any charges or not.

You can also speak directly to Talktalk over the weekend.

Check opening hours here:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/How-to-contact-TalkTalk-Broadband/ta-p/2230529

Let us know how you get on and confirm whether you still need forum support for this issue.

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 12:58:26 GMT

I will soon be doing some renovation works to the part of the house where the old copper cable enters, which means I need to have the copper cable removed.

What is the procedure for requesting this to be done?

This has been asked before the answer was in two parts, as Gliwmaeden2 has suggested you can ask Openreach to remove it which is most likely to incur a charge or you can remove it yourself.

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

Gliwmaeden2 — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:48:01 GMT

@Anonymous, it's better that @ypwlng gets this organised through Talktalk or at least check there first.

Even if the copper is now redundant, it's not actually the home owner's property but the property of Openreach.

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

fr8ys — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 15:27:46 GMT

@Anonymous I'm in the same position as @ypwlng and asked regarding this. I was informed that Openreach will get around to this eventually, but there is no mechanism in place to instruct them to remove it. Contractors and Openreach are more focused on using their resources to install new connections.

Customers who try to remove their lines themselves could be open to charges of malicious damage, especially if the cable at the pole is on a connection which shares a neighbour's connection. Just how is the customer going to get up the pole in any event to take the cable down fully? Even if the customer removes it from the house, it will cause an issue to the public highway and pavements and leave them open to damages and prosecution if it causes and accident or injury.

Concurring with @Gliwmaeden2 please do not in future recommend a customer remove Openreach equipment themselves

Thank you.

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

Gliwmaeden2 — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:13:53 GMT

Agreed, @fr8ys.

There's probably a lot of recycling of copper going on too, and Openreach will have its own arrangements for doing this.

Not for us customers to touch any of the equipment past the faceplate.

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:28:49 GMT

I agree best phone first

The good news is it looks like its a free service -

This is part of an email from the forum thread see link at the bottom -

If the work you require is to move your own overhead telephone line, to another position on your property: The minimum cost is £126.72 including VAT, subject to survey. As you have advised the line is redundant we can remove the cable free of charge after a quick check on our system when we speak. If you wish to proceed, please reply to this email with all the relevant information and well contact you in 1 to 2 working days.

Removal of old BT Copper Cable | ISPreview UK Forum

Re: how to physically remove the old external copper line?

fr8ys — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 17:08:53 GMT

@Anonymous that's very interesting and I wish I'd known before I had my work done as doing so now will leave my render in a mess.

Just a shame that TalkTalk were not aware, especially as the staff member I asked referred this up the line who gave the answer I received as if it had come from OpenReach. A good bit of research.

We live and learn.

@ypwlng out of interest I started the form off and went through the process and it does seem fairly easy to apply.

Here's a link to the form. Just select New and then complete.

https://openreach.my.salesforce-sites.com/form/?NRV

Good luck.

I will ask staff to add this to the knowledge base.