Free upgrade to Full Fibre with Digital Voice

[gerjomarty]

Hey folks, thanks for looking. I appreciate this is probably the opposite problem that many users on here have.

I've just received an email about a free upgrade to Full Fibre with Digital Voice. CityFibre did our apartment block recently, so I guess that was the trigger. Appreciate that the main reason is because the old copper lines are being phased out and everyone needs to be moved to VOIP at some point to continue using a landline phone.

I would have been all for this, until I saw that CityFibre were managing the installation. As mentioined, CityFibre recently kitted out our apartment block, but as it's a leasehold with zero comms from the building management, they didn't give us any input as to where the fibre entry points would be installed, so of course they're positioned at the other end of the flat from the existing telephone sockets.

I already have a bunch of things plugged in via Ethernet to the router near the conveniently placed existing sockets (I want these wired, not wireless), and I don't want cables placed the length of the flat, so if I did go ahead with this, I would effectively need to buy a bunch of new kit to get back to a position I'd be happy with.

What are my alternative options? Can I keep deferring the changeover? Is it possible for TalkTalk to do something similar via Openreach to avoid any disruptive work to enable the CityFibre connection?

Many thanks!

[mandisa1-TT]

Market comparison backs this up Cityfibre wholesale tends to be slightly cheaper for ISPs.

It is not that TalkTalk does not offer the choice of a changeover, This is because each property is assigned to a specific full fibre network, and TalkTalk must work with whichever network is active and available at the premises.

[gerjomarty]

Yes, thanks @Gliwmaeden2 @fr8ys , that's helpful.

In an ideal world talking to the building owner to fix things would work, but in practice with an already installed solution and a very hands off property manager, I think this is out sadly.

Powerline is a great shout, but I'm not a fan and the gas smart meter is already using powerline tech, so there might be complications there anyway.

Similar to what you said @Gliwmaeden2  I'm assuming that similar to other ISPs, TalkTalk don't offer the choice of a changeover to SOGEA on Openreach when the property has access to CityFibre, right? (I hear it's cheaper for the ISP to use CityFibre instead of Openreach when both are available.)

[Mandisa-TT]

Thank you @Gliwmaeden2 and @fr8ys for your support.

[fr8ys]

As you've intimated, it's the property owner who has a say in where utilities come into the property and you would probably needs their permission, as you are the leaseholder, to make any changes. 

If you require a specific change you would be best to speak to the property owner to seek permission to discuss this with cityfibre when they attend the property to install.

Failing getting such permission or being able to make the changes, you could achieve "hard wiring" by the use of power line adaptors / plugs. If you buy the socket versions you have the benefit of not losing the use of the plug sockets.

[Gliwmaeden2]

Talktalk is not likely to have both Openreach AND Cityfibre supplying infrastructure on the same patch, @gerjomarty.

If Openreach moves into the area for Full Fibre they may prefer to use the access points closest to their current copper line master sockets, and it won't necessarily be with Talktalk as an ISP.

Engineers will usually advise you in person when they first come to look at the premises. Can't make generalisations.