Superfast broadband - finally

A Christmas present from BT

I refer to my last blog regarding the delay with BT updating their records for Internet Service Provider's.

I am very pleased to say that our Cabinet 17 is finally reported as being complete. Residents can now request fibre broadband from their ISP's, if they haven't done so already.

To date, I have received reports from eight people who have already ordered superfast broadband. I have also been able to order BT Infinity, which indicates those properties on Main Street who were re-routed from Cabinet 3, now have access to fibre broadband too.

This is the formal announcement from Onlincolnshire:

Project Update for week ending 16th December 2016

"Completed cabinet list - Cabinet 17 on the Metheringham exchange (originally SCP 3/2)
Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Services are now available."

With all the benefits a fast, reliable connection can bring, superfast broadband is the perfect gift for you this Christmas.

A high speed connection will keep everyone in your household happy as they can all be online at the same time whatever their internet interests.

Businesses will also benefit with high-speed help to handle an influx of orders and enquiries, while also being able to keep in contact with suppliers and clients or work at home in the event of bad weather.

The high-speed connectivity offered by superfast broadband means enjoying the internet like never before. Download and watch a film, play games online, or just surf the net... with buffering, something of the past.

Please keep me informed through the 'Comments' section if you have ordered an upgrade to fibre broadband.

It would be interesting to know your expected upgrade date and once activated, what speed you are now getting via fibre, compared to what you were getting previously.

Many thanks

Decent broadband 'denied' to millions in UK

'Ofcom's report found a significant urban-rural divide on higher speed broadband.'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38340222

Superfast broadband - imminent, but not yet

OnLincolnshire

Project Update - Week ending 25th November 2016

'Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Migration of lines from cabinet 3 to cabinet 17 scheduled is complete; services should be available imminently'

British Telecom

I refer to my previous blog about the latest engineering work.

I decided to call BT yesterday afternoon to see if the Cabinet 17 fibre service had finally been released to our ISP's - no surprise really to find it hasn't. Fortunately, I have an ongoing query with the BT Openreach Fibre Team to try and get them to commit to an actual release date.

BT Openreach

From: BT Openreach
Sent: 17 November 2016 14:22
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Fibre Broadband Availability - Customer

If your query is about an existing broadband service please contact your Communications Provider.

Query submitted 10th November 2016 (14:51)

"Why is there a delay in providing my fibre broadband?"

Details of your enquiry:

"Morning.

Your 'When can I get fibre' webpage shows that Metheringham Cab 17 is accepting orders, but when I try to order the fibre upgrade from my ISP (BT), it is not yet available.

The map display during the search does have a triangle 'Beta Testing', but no further explanation.

Will you please give a finite date when I can make an order to my ISP to upgrade my broadband to fibre please?

Many thanks."

Response received 17th November 2016 (14:22)

Dear Geoff,

Thank you for your email. We have investigated and would like to inform you that you are connected to METHERINGHAM and Cabinet 17. However, the distance of your home and the cabinet doesn’t lie within the limit which is 1.8 km. Also, the speed is slow due to distance.

Unfortunately the distance between your home and the cabinet is too far (2.006 km) to get Superfast speeds. One of the reasons, amongst other factors, is that the superfast signal weakens over distance.

(Note: distances are measured by the route our network takes to reach you which could be longer than the actual distance between the cabinet and your home or business).

We agree this makes you unhappy but we are doing our best to let you know the real picture as we don’t want to make any false commitment.

Thanks & Regards,
Fibre Enquiries Team


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 17 November 2016 14:59
To: BT Openreach
Subject: RE: Fibre Broadband Availability - Customer

I'm very sorry but you are incorrect.  Cab 17 is less than 50 metres from our cottage! The cabinet you refer to is Cab 3. Please check your information and respond again.

Thank-you


From: BT Openreach
Sent: 24 November 2016 17:19
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Fibre Broadband Availability - Customer

Dear Geoff,

Thank you for contacting us again. Please accept our apologies for the incorrect information provided in the previous email.

To check distance from Cabinet 17, we have forwarded this case to our second level support team.
The usual turnaround time for them is 25 working days, however, due to high demand of fibre, the work volume is very high.

Our team is working hard to response our customers within time frame. We will get back to you once we receive any update from them.

We appreciate your time and patience during this period.

Kind regards,
Fibre Enquiries Team

Superfast broadband - engineering work

OnLincolnshire

I refer to my last blog update on this matter.

Project Update - Week ending 18th November 2016

'Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Planned engineering work to re-route lines from Cabinet 3 to Cabinet 17 scheduled for 21st November; once complete we will do our (best) to expedite the process of making internet service providers aware so that services can be ordered.'

BT boss: Openreach impasse is depriving economy of £6bn investment

'In January, a group of 121 MPs put their name to a report entitled “Broadbad”, which alleged some 5.7m Britons could not access the internet.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/19/gavin-patterson-the-uncertainty-is-not-good-for-bt-its-not-reall/

Government pledges faster broadband funds

The UK must move towards providing "fibre-to-the-property" broadband, rather than fibre to the roadside cabinet, the Chancellor will say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38051066

Superfast broadband - more delay

'Live to Live Changeover'

From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 31 October 2016 17:20
To: Stephen Brookes (OnLincolnshire)
Cc: Ian McEwan (BT Openreach)
Subject: Nocton - Cabinet 17 still in Beta Testing

Hi Steve,

Just to inform you, the sorry saga for Nocton seems to be continuing I’m afraid.

I see your Project Update for week ending 28th October indicated the ISPs might accept orders: 'Issues have been rectified, services should now be available'.  However, as you can see from the various comments from residents in my last blog update... clearly this is not the case.

The BT Openreach 'When can I get fibre' tool is showing Cabinet 17 to be still under Beta Testing. I have also tried testing various telephone numbers via this tool, relating to lines known to connect to Cab 17, all with the same outcome.

I did note your update was still displayed under ‘Delayed Cabinets’, rather than ‘Completed Cabinet List’. Please will you be so kind to make further enquiries and if there is an ongoing delay, perhaps you could give the reasons.

Kind regards,
Geoff


From: Stephen Brookes
Sent: 02 November 2016 11:14
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Nocton - Cabinet 17 still in Beta Testing

Good Morning Geoff,

I have spoken with Openreach and the ongoing delay is a result of what they term ' 'Live to Live' changeover. In other words, they are changing circuits on a cabinet that has already been upgraded (Metheringham 3). In order to effect the necessary work, they have to work with all the ISPs to ensure that downtime is agreed.

They are in the process of sorting this out and we should see a result shortly. As soon as I get the estimated completion I will let you know. Openreach has assured me that this is getting the necessary priority.

Regards
Steve
Steve Brookes
Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager
Tel. 01522 552450
Mob. 07825 043978

OnLincolnshire

Project update - week ending 4 November 2016

Delayed cabinets
Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - 'live 2 live' changeover still ongoing, awaiting confirmation of final availability date from BT

To check your line with BT Openreach for availability of fibre, click on the link provided.

Slow broadband at home? Here's why you may NEVER get the download speeds you pay for

BBC investigation finds that home broadband speeds often fall far behind what is promised by internet providers.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/730143/slow-home-broadband-reasons-why-bbc-watchdog

Superfast broadband - latest news

OnLincolnshire

Status update on additional broadband coverage - 19th October 2016

'We had expected to be in receipt of a latest set of proposals from BT, to cover some additional work that they were 'modelling'. Upon receipt, we will analyse what levels of further broadband coverage we might expect to achieve and how this might look from a value for money perspective.'

Update - 'We had expected to be in receipt of a latest set of proposals from BT, to cover some additional work that they were 'modelling'. Upon receipt, we will analyse what levels of further broadband coverage we might expect to achieve and how this might look from a value for money perspective.

We are conscious that we had communicated to a number of people who had been in contact,  that we were waiting for this data and were expecting it on 12th October at the latest.

Unfortunately, BT still hasn't delivered the proposals and we are unable to analyse what is on offer. It is hoped that they can remedy this position quickly and we can continue to examine how we can further extend broadband across the county.

Please accept our apologies for the ongoing delay.'

Project Update - week ending 28th October 2016

'Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Still having issues - we are chasing this to remedy asap.'

Update - 'Issues have been rectified, services should now be available' (see Comments to this blog).

Change Request 22 - Nocton

I am now pleased to report that BT Openreach have completed the work to insert new copper cables between pole DP108 (Main Street) and the new Cabinet 17 (The Green). All consumer lines on that pole were moved over to the new cable yesterday, meaning they are no longer connected to Cabinet 3.

As BT Group has not yet officially signed off the Change Request 22, I must thank two people in particular, Ian McEwan (Senior Project Manager, BDUK / SEP Lincolnshire & Rutland at BT Openreach) and Steve Brookes (OnLincolnshire at Lincolnshire County Council), who have taken a pragmatic approach in solving our 'problem'.  Ian and Steve have gone out on a limb to make sure the work is completed, due to the lengthy delay experienced in obtaining the relevant permissions.

This is a great outcome for those residents of Main Street who wouldn't have otherwise been able to upgrade to superfast broadband, despite a fibre cabinet being literally on their doorstep.

Please note the records still require an update to reflect the alterations; it will take a couple of weeks or so for ISPs to be advised a fibre service is now available for these DP108 consumer lines. When finalised, customers will then be able to apply for an upgrade to BT Infinity, if they so wish.

I have been persistent getting these 'legacy lines' sorted under the BDUK Project, because once the fibre infrastructure is in place, BT are prevented from re-routing consumer lines from one cabinet to another. There is no actual mechanism in place whereby a consumer can request such a transfer.

OFCOM has demanded there are rules in place, called 'Equivalence', which are aimed at stopping BT altering the infrastructure to the financial benefit of their own customers and not their competitors.

Finally, I have yet to receive feedback from those residents who were previously connected via Pillar 3/2 (Post Office) and are now routed to Cabinet 17, with any successes in upgrading to fibre broadband. If you have managed to order BT Infinity from your ISP and are now receiving superfast broadband, please do let me know via the Comments section in my blog. Perhaps you could also let me know the increased speeds [Mbps] you are achieving too, so we can analyse the benefits of the fibre service for the extra costs.

BT sales rocket as EE gives temporary relief to Brexit and regulatory blues

'But telecoms giant remains at deadlock with Ofcom over future of Openreach.'

http://arstechnica.co.uk/business/2016/10/bt-sales-rocket-to-ee-gives-brexit-ofcom/

Want a 330Mbps broadband line from BT? This is how much it will cost

'BT has revealed its initial pilot pricing for G.fast broadband.'

http://www.techradar.com/news/want-a-330mbps-broadband-line-from-bt-this-is-how-much-it-will-cost

UK ISPs now show combined cost of line rental and broadband in ads

The new rules will see ISPs obligated to do the following:

• Show all-inclusive, upfront, and monthly costs, with no separating out of line rental prices
• Give greater prominence to the contract length and any post-discount pricing
• Give greater prominence to upfront costs

https://www.neowin.net/news/uk-isps-now-show-combined-cost-of-line-rental-and-broadband-in-ads

Superfast broadband - more news

Wider solution

I have been chasing BT with a reminder today and to my surprise it elicited a reply:


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 25 October 2016 12:42
To: Eaton Fallows
Cc: Stephen Brookes
Subject: Broadband - Nocton

Dear Mr Fallows,

I refer to my recent complaint to the Chairman of BT regarding fibre broadband services to Nocton.
Please see the summary of progress to date with the BDUK Project:https://nocton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/onlincolnshire-bduk-project-nocton.html

Are you now able to let me have a more detailed explanation of what is holding up:

1. The release of fibre service to ISPs relating to Metheringham Cabinet 17?
2. The long delay in signing off Change Request 22?

I eagerly await the courtesy of a reply.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff Hall


From: Eaton Fallows
Sent: 25 October 2016 16:19
To: Geoff Hall
Cc: Ian K McEwan; Stephen Brookes; Steve.E.Henderson
Subject: RE: Broadband - Nocton

Dear Mr Hall,

I am aware of your mail to our Chairman and I have ensured that this has been communicated to the wider BT team involved in providing services to Nocton.

My colleague, Ian McEwan,  has kindly provided you with the technical explanation as to what is required and the process for delivery of the service.

In response to your specific questions.

1. Metherington 17 cabinet was released last week. There is a delay before records are updated and released to ISP’s. We allow two weeks for this process to complete.
2. As explained previously the Change Request (CR) you refer to is part of a wider solution that we had modelled and have been preparing for release to Lincolnshire. The solution also takes into account additional requests from Lincolnshire which will provide additional services. Changes to one of these additional requests has resulted in a need to provide it as a stand-alone solution at a later date. This has required BT to re-visit the overall solution and remove references to the impacted element. We have completed the re-modelling and are presently completing the required information that will allow us to submit the solution to Lincolnshire. Once Lincolnshire have received the completed CR it will go through a period of assurance by both BDUK and Lincolnshire, assuming the assurance is positive then the CR can be formally authorised by Lincolnshire and the solution incorporated into our forward delivery plans. I am expecting to deliver the information to Lincolnshire by Friday 4th November.

We are conscious of the priority to provide service to the residents of Nocton, in this respect I am looking at ways in which we can expedite the delivery ahead of the scheduled delivery plan for the wider solution.

I will update you with the firm date for release of the wider solution and also contact you when I have finalised our plans to bring forward the delivery.

Please be assured this is high on my priority list and I am doing everything I can to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion.

Regards,
Eaton


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 25 October 2016 18:13
To: Eaton Fallows
Cc: Ian.K.McEwan; Stephen Brookes; Steve.E.Henderson
Subject: RE: Broadband - Nocton

Dear Mr Fallows,

Thank you for the further explanation of the delay in signing off Change Request 22.

The technical explanation from Mr McEwan appears quite logical and a relatively simple process. I am rather surprised therefore, to learn this work has been amalgamated into ‘a wider solution’ relating to other additional requests for Lincolnshire.

The following questions immediately spring to mind:

1. Why was the work relating to Change Request 22 unable to be ring-fenced and signed off quickly with OnLincolnshire as a stand-alone solution, enabling your colleagues in Openreach to complete the work quickly?
2. Was this because there are other consumer lines in Nocton that are not currently connected to either Metheringham Cabinet 12 or 17, hence ‘a wider solution’ is having to be considered for our village?
3. Does this consideration involve G.fast technology over copper (as I am aware this has been under trial with BT)?
4. Does the proposed solution for consumers connected via pole DP108 (and possibly DP19) Main Street, Nocton still involve the process outlined by Openreach… or a G.fast solution?

If you can possibly comment on the above, then I shall pause my lobbying and await further updates from both Steve Brookes and you on the agreed way forward, that hopefully will occur no later than the end of November 2016.

Finally, may I make a customer service suggestion – that during these projects, perhaps BT should produce monthly or quarterly newsletters for local communities and liaise with their Parish Councils over progress/delays. I am sure you are all under great pressure, both politically and with organisational targets, to get this work completed for the maximum gain of the majority, but this would save so much bad press and negativity towards your organisation over the difficulties in obtaining accurate information.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff Hall


From: Stephen Brookes [mailto:Stephen.Brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk]
Sent: 26 October 2016 07:31
To: Geoff Hall; Eaton Fallows
Cc: Ian K McEwan; Steve E Henderson; Naomi Nutting; Owen Williams
Subject: RE: Broadband - Nocton

Good Morning Geoff,

Please accept my apologies for the ongoing delay which is now beyond embarrassing to LCC.
I feel I should clarify LCC's position on this one as I have to confess to getting more and more disappointed with the level of service we still haven't provided to Nocton.

CR22 was issued in June and the Impact Assessment should have been returned within a month, unless there were exceptional circumstances that elongated this timescale. In this case, there weren't any. The decision to amalgamate into the bigger CR was taken much later.

With regards to the comments on Metheringham 17. It was declared 'RFS' on 20th September and the process then allows two weeks before it becomes 'CRFS' (available to ISPs). To date, residents still can't order from ISPs.

Regards
Steve

Steve Brookes
Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager
Tel. 01522 552450
Mob. 07825 043978

Onlincolnshire BDUK Project - Nocton

Timeline

2014

 

March 2014

• Metheringham Exchange is to be upgraded to fibre.

June 2014

• Date of Metheringham Exchange upgrade delayed.

July 2014

• A new fibre cabinet (Metheringham Cabinet 3), has been installed at junction of Lincoln Rd, Dunston and Sleaford Rd, B1188. It is now live and will serve 528 premises.
• Metheringham Exchange is now fibre enabled and accepting orders.

October 2014

• The upgrade to fibre for Nocton is to be included in Phase 2 of the Lincolnshire BDUK Project.

2015

May 2015

• A new fibre cabinet for Nocton (Metheringham Cabinet 12) has been installed at junction of Potterhanworth Rd and Manor Court. This serves a minority of properties (62), primarily on Nocton Park.
• A further survey has now been requested by Onlincolnshire, with a view to BT locating a second fibre cabinet (DSLAM), to pick up the copper feeds from an old metal cabinet (Pillar 3/2 - next to the Post Office), which delivers service to the majority of properties (210) in Nocton.
• A Change Control will be used to instruct BT to carry out this extra installation work, subject to satisfactory costing.
• The planning and costings for this Change Control are due by the end of September 2015.

October 2015

• The work to install an additional DSLAM has been agreed and is now likely to take place in Q1 2016.

November 2015

• Metheringham Cabinet 12 has been completed.

2016

March 2016

• Onlincolnshire visited Nocton and confirmed that the second DSLAM has not yet been installed, despite assurances from BT.
• We now discover there has been a misunderstanding within BT over cabinet numbers - the one they thought was for Nocton, was actually a fibre cabinet (Metheringham Cabinet 16) located in Dunston, a neighbouring village.
• Due to this misunderstanding, BT are going to fast-track the additional DSLAM.
• This fibre cabinet will be designated Metheringham Cabinet 17.
• The documentation for the civil engineering work will also be fast-tracked with Highways.
• The target date for the completion of the new DSLAM is now 31st March 2016.
• Despite the provision of a second DSLAM for Nocton, there are a few legacy lines that do not connect via Pillar 3/2, but are connected direct to Metheringham Cabinet 3.
• Metheringham Cabinet 3 is located too far away from Nocton to provide any extra speed for consumers, over their current copper connection.
• Therefore, OnLincolnshire are endeavouring to get these lines re-routed to the second DSLAM, but BT is quoting 'Equivalence Rules' that apparently make this impossible due to an OFCOM agreement.

April 2016

• BT have now discovered there is insufficient space to erect the second DSLAM where Pillar 3/2 is located, therefore it will require an alternative location.
• The traffic management date for the engineering work has therefore been delayed slightly.
• All trenching work to install trunking for the copper connection to new DSLAM cabinet has now been completed.
• New DSLAM (Metheringham Cabinet 17) is now in place and powered.
• The estimated completion date is revised to early May.

May 2016

• The new Metheringham Cabinet 17 is stood and powered, but BT now discover the existing Pillar 3/2 needs a new shell.
• This requires another site meeting to determine if re-location is required.
• Confirmation received from BT Legal that 'Equivalence Rules' definitely do not apply to the BDUK Project, only to consumer requests post-build.
• BT determine that Pillar 3/2 does need a new shell, but in addition it needs to be located elsewhere.
• Pillar 3/2 will be made redundant and a new shell will be erected.
• This will require yet more civil engineering.
• BT High Level Complaints have also confirmed that 'Equivalence Rules' do not apply and it is within the remit of the Lincolnshire BDUK Project to ensure this work is undertaken.
• Onlincolnshire seeks further clarification from BT, regarding the extra work to route the legacy lines to the new DSLAM (Metheringham Cabinet 17), instead of Metheringham Cabinet 3.

June 2016

• The replacement shell for Pillar 3/2 has now been erected in the alternative location and awaits connection by BT.
• Work is required to shift all copper pairs from Pillar 3/2 to the replacement shell.
• OnLincolnshire have decided to issue a formal contractual Change Request (22) to BT, to move the remaining legacy lines from Metheringham Cabinet 3 to the new Metheringham Cabinet 17.

July 2016

• Discussions are ongoing between Onlincolnshire and BT over costs of implementing the Change Request 22.
• The new DSLAM Cabinet 17 is stood and powered.
• BT advise Onlincolnshire that Cabinet 17 will be commissioned within the next two weeks.
• Agreement has now been reached in principle, about the costs of the Change Request 22 work.
• The new Cabinet 17 still needs external fibre provision and the Exchange to be completed.

August 2016

• The Change Request 22 relating to the legacy line work is still to be signed off.
• BT have still not returned the relevant paperwork; it is expected within the next 10 days.
• There is also an ongoing situation with the commissioning of Cabinet 17.
• Pillar 3/2 still requires the circuits moving from the old cast iron shell outside the Post Office, to the new shell on the other side of the road.
• The civil engineering work is complete on this.
• The cabling and jointing activity should start by the end of this week.
• The fibre route has not been proven yet, although the DSLAM is stood and powered.
• The estimated completion date for Cabinet 17 is revised to mid-September.
• Telec Utilities commence work on connecting the copper cable between Pillar 3/2 and the new Cabinet 17.
• The contractors work all weekend to disconnect Pillar 3/2 and re-route all lines through to the new cabinet.
• Unfortunately, many problems arise with consumer lines after the contractors have finished the work and have left the site.

September 2016

• BT Openreach take over the work to rectify the many problems left over from the conversion work by Telec Utilities.
• BT management attend site to discuss problems encountered.
• Work commences to link the new replacement cabinet for Pillar 3/2, to the new Cabinet 17.
• Onlincolnshire report 'Ready for service, all engineering works and commissioning complete', but there is a delay issuing the updates to wholesale computer records.
• Full service expected to be available at the end of next week.
• The Change Request 22 relating to the legacy line work is still not signed off.
• The wholesale computer records are still with commissioners to finalise.
• Despite Cabinet 17 appearing on screens of ISPs, they are still not able to take orders.
• An update then states commissioning complete, service availability imminent.

October 2016

• Problems with the wholesale computer records still remain though.
• Consumers are still unable to take up fibre services.
• The Change Request 22 relating to the legacy line work is still not signed off.
• The cause of delay to the Change Request 22 is with BT Group, not Openreach or OnLincolnshire.
• Formal complaint submitted to Chairman of BT.

Superfast broadband - formal complaint

Communication

'Communication is the act of conveying intended meanings from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs and semiotic rules.'

Source: Wikipedia

This is my latest correspondence with BT:


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 20 October 2016 19:08
To: Ian McEwan
Cc: Eaton Fallows; Stephen Brookes
Subject: Nocton Superfast broadband

Hi Ian,

I refer to my email query enclosed, which you were copied in to. I know this is rather unorthodox, but it would really be appreciated if you could assist with providing some information for me whilst I’m waiting for a formal reply from Mr Fallows.

I have contacted my ISP (BT) with a specific question, but they have advised only Openreach can answer – therefore, please may I ask a favour of you and tap your technical knowledge. I understand from an online profile that you are Programme Manager, Head of IT Interlock Testing @ BT Openreach / Senior Project Manager @ BT Operate / Senior Operational Solutions Manager @ Openreach.

My current consumer line is connected to Metheringham Cab 3 (which has been fibre enabled), but with my property in Nocton being over 3 kilometres away from the cab, I am unable to obtain BT Infinity and will be better retaining my copper line. As you probably know by now, these ‘legacy lines’ for Nocton are subject to a Change Request (22) via the Lincolnshire BDUK Project, but as it seems there might be a long delay in getting this sorted, I am wondering if there may be a shortcut to me getting BT Infinity. Let me explain.

As the new fibre service for Nocton is now available via the new FTTC (Metheringham Cab 17), which is only 30 metres away from my property, if I was to order a second (new) consumer line from my provider, how would this be connected:

1. Would the engineer just route this new line to my existing Cab 3 which is already providing the copper service for my main line?
OR
2. Would the engineer seek to route the secondary new line to the new Cab 17, whereupon I could obtain fibre?

 N.B. Please see the photograph enclosed – this shows the new fibre Cabinet 17 on the right, my cottage is in the same row as the Post Office, and my existing line is linked to the telegraph pole near the bus stop / temporary traffic lights (which has an access duct right at the bottom of this pole).

My guess is that this would require a dedicated site visit by the engineer, but there seems no mechanism within BT whereby I can specifically request such an order, on the basis of it only going ahead subject to it linking to the closest fibre cab… with the result of obtaining BT Infinity on that second new line.

I would really be interested in your thoughts.

Kind regards,
Geoff

As I was not really expecting a reply, I was really appreciative of Mr McEwan's speedy response... especially as it was one that I could understand too:


From: ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk
Sent: 21 October 2016 08:50
To: Geoff Hall
Cc: eaton.fallows@bt.com; Stephen.Brookes
Subject: RE: Nocton Superfast broadband

Good morning Mr Hall,

I believe you are fed from the Distribution Pole across the road (DP108), which as you say, is fed from Metheringham 3; CR 22 is to provide a new copper cable from DP 108 to Metheringham 17 and then to swing all the customers on DP 108 into Metheringham 17 thus giving those customers access to, I believe, really good speeds. Engineering wise, once the CR is signed, and we have the planned job out of our planning teams, to actually provide the cable and swing the exchange wiring, is a simple task and should not take more than a couple of days to complete.

Once I have visibility of the authorised CR, I won’t wait for the planning teams to provide the planned job as I know what needs to be done, I will direct our engineers to complete the necessary work as a priority.

In terms of the wider community served by Metheringham 17; we have had a records issue but this is now resolved, so those customers should now be able to order fibre service.

Hope this helps Mr Hall,
  
Regards
Ian McEwan
Senior Project Manager, BDUK / SEP Lincolnshire & Rutland
Openreach

It was therefore nice to be able to give BT some positive feedback for once:


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 21 October 2016 09:46
To: ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk
Cc: eaton.fallows@bt.com; Stephen.Brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Nocton Superfast broadband

Hi Ian,

Thank you so much for replying with a comprehensive explanation.

The problem seems to be there are many parties to this solution for Nocton. We have consumers with various ISPs; OnLincolnshire at Lincoln County Council is handling the BDUK Project; we have BT Group who is the access point for Steve Brookes to manage the project; finally, BT Openreach are responsible for carrying out the necessary work. Somewhere along this line, communication is breaking down and the change request is being delayed for sign off.

I would be very interested to find out who is sitting on this document, failing to process it further down the line. Perhaps Mr Fallows can investigate this matter further for us to identify what is holding up the change request?

Surely, it cannot be beyond our combined professional abilities to work together in solving this issue once and for all. We can then be secure in the knowledge that Nocton village has finally been upgraded for fibre in totality and this aspect of the BDUK Project can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

Please be assured I will not be troubling you with continued correspondence, however I will continue to seek an early solution to this matter with Messrs Brookes and Fallows.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff

I also welcomed some further detail from OnLincolnshire, who clarified the extent of the change request delay:


From: Stephen Brookes
Sent: 21 October 2016 09:59
To: Geoff Hall; ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk
Cc: eaton.fallows@bt.com; Owen Williams <owen.williams@lincolnshire.gov.uk>; Naomi Nutting <Naomi.Nutting@lincolnshire.gov.uk>
Subject: RE: Nocton Superfast broadband

Good Morning Geoff,

Firstly, my thanks to Ian for outlining the physical work and for reiterating my earlier comments about our intention to prioritise the work.

However, I feel I must clarify this issue from Lincolnshire County Council's perspective because I can only answer your question truthfully.

I sent the CR to BT Group on 21st June this year. The process is that upon receipt, BT Group carry out an 'Impact Assessment' and then send it back to us for approval and sign off. To date, I am still not in receipt of the sign off and therefore neither LCC or Openreach are able to progress this work.

Under the contract, Openreach will carry out the work when the CR is signed off by LCC and BT Group. They can do nothing before this happens.

Regards
Steve
Steve Brookes
Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager
Tel. 01522 552450
Mob. 07825 043978

It now seemed the right time to escalate this matter within BT to try and encourage some priority action in completing our fibre roll out.


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 21 October 2016 10:47
To: michael.rake@bt.com
Cc: eaton.fallows@bt.com; ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk; Stephen.Brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Subject: Formal Complaint - Nocton, Lincolnshire
Importance: High

Dear Sir Michael,

I am sorry to have to trouble you with this matter, but perhaps your complaints team could investigate the issues that continue to delay Nocton village with an upgrade to fibre.

I am the author of a local blog ‘Nocton in Lincolnshire’ and have been cataloguing the ongoing work over a couple of years. Incorporated within my blog is a full contemporaneous record of how this project has unfolded over the many months involved. As you can see, I have provided updates from OnLincolnshire, technical descriptions, actual photographs of work undertaken with links to BT training videos, all aimed at helping your customers understand exactly what is going on. Suffice to say we have had some rather troubling delays, mainly due to mistakes being made by BT contracted out services and a general lack of information from BT itself. In view of this, Ofcom were offered this extensive record as part of the evidence to their ‘Strategic Review of Digital Communications’, but rather than focus on the past I want to concentrate on the current situation.

There are two fibre cabinets that handle most of the consumer lines for the village and both have now been enabled – thank you. However, some consumer lines are still connected to a legacy cabinet situated outside the village, too far away to benefit from the fibre service. This aspect of work is subject to a change request submitted by Steve Brookes of OnLincolnshire as part of the BDUK Project. You can see the latest correspondence with BT representatives in this blog update and in the most recent email attached. The problem seems to lie with a significant delay in signing off the formal change request which was submitted to BT Group as far back as 21st June 2016.

I would like to request that your complaints team investigate this delay and respond with an explanation and solution, so that BT Openreach can progress this final aspect of work to fibre-enable the remaining lines for our village.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff Hall


OnLincolnshire Project Update - Week ending 21st October 2016

Delayed cabinets
Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Still having issues - we are chasing this to remedy asap

Superfast broadband - curiouser and curiouser

Alice in Wonderland

“Have I gone mad? I'm afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.” [Lewis Carroll]

You will first need to read my query to OnLincolnshire that was in my email of 11th October 2016 - you may also find the extra information useful too, in the comments to 'Superfast broadband - now live'.

We now have BT's official reply... and whilst it is clearly written in English, I'm damned if I can interpret what it means, hence I have sought further clarification:


From: eaton.fallows@bt.com
Sent: 17 October 2016 15:50
To: Geoff Hall
Cc: ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk; Stephen.Brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Subject: Nocton Superfast Broadband

Good afternoon Mr Hall.

With reference to your enquiry to the onLincolnshire Team with regard to the delivery of fibre broadband into the community of Nocton.

The proposals to deliver fibre broadband to Nocton are part of a combined solution to provide fibre broadband to even more premises within Lincolnshire.

We have completed the modelling of the solution and will be presenting this to the onLincolnshire team within the next two weeks. Detailed planning and surveys for the first phase of the solution will commence in July 2017, at this stage the exact timing for each of the structures and hence the relevant postcodes is not yet decided.

We are fully aware of the priorities the onLincolnshire team have placed on getting fibre broadband to the remainder of the residents in Nocton, once we have agreement to proceed with our proposals we will endeavour to place the delivery of services to Nocton as early in the programme as possible.

I will update you further when I have more details.

Regards,
Eaton
Eaton Fallows | Programme Manager | Flexible Resourcing Unit | BT Group | Tel: | Mob: 07843294682 | Fax: | E: | eaton.fallows@bt.com


This is how I have responded:

From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 17 October 2016 17:21
To: eaton.fallows@bt.com
Cc: ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk; Stephen.Brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Nocton Superfast Broadband
Importance: High

Hi Eaton,

Thank you for your email, but please forgive me when I say your response does not really give the community a great deal of clarity. It is not exactly clear from your email which aspect of the service you are referring to here.

I am left with the following questions:

1. With the new fibre cabinet [Metheringham 17] now ‘live’ and subject to ‘beta’ testing, I would like to know when consumers will be able to contact their ISP’s for the upgraded service and know they will be offered a fibre solution?
2. However, if there is a problem with the records that is delaying matters, please will you say so and let us know a target date when this aspect might be sorted out?
3. With specific regard to the Change Request 22 which refers to the remaining ‘legacy lines’ in Nocton that are routed directly from Metheringham Cabinet 3, are you now saying this work will definitely be carried out, so that these consumers will also be able to have access to fibre in the not too distant future?

It’s just that the terminology you have used i.e. ‘modelling of the solution’ and ‘detailed planning and surveys’, would seem to indicate new work, not the work that has already been completed to install the new fibre cabinet 17!

It also seems to suggest it will push this additional work into Phase 3 of the BDUK Project for Lincolnshire.

Perhaps you would be so kind to clarify.

Kind regards,
Geoff Hall


From: Stephen Brookes
Sent: 18 October 2016 08:42
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Nocton Superfast Broadband

Good Morning Geoff,

Thanks very much for taking time to call me yesterday.

Please accept my apologies for the ongoing confusion surrounding Nocton. I am chasing them for specific information re. when residents can order services and when we will see the sign off of CR22.

I will update you as soon as I get something.

Regards
Steve

Steve Brookes
Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager
Tel. 01522 552450
Mob. 07825 043978

Swiss beat UK's BT to next-gen G.fast broadband

'Switzerland is the first country in Europe to deliver so-called ultrafast broadband to customers through traditional copper infrastructure...'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37705435

Openreach split could damage broadband investment, says BT's chief exec

'Patterson denied that BT is sweating its copper assets by focusing on its hybrid G.fast technology, rather than fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) broadband.'

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/10/19/gavin_patterson_bt_broadband_investment/

Superfast broadband - now live

Project Update - Week ending 14th October 2016

This is the announcement we have been waiting for from OnLincolnshire:

"Completed cabinet list
Cabinet 17 on the Metheringham exchange - Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Now live"

If you are interested in upgrading to fibre and a faster broadband, please contact your Internet Service Provider direct. Let me know how you get on by commenting on this post please, then we can spread the news.

Please note, I still haven't had a reply from BT regarding the Change Request 22 for the remaining 'legacy lines' which are connected to Cabinet 3 on the Metheringham exchange and are unable to get the fibre service currently.

These are the current BT Infinity deals if you are eligible to upgrade.

How to survive if you're waiting for broadband

The delays can be laid at the door of Openreach, a subsidiary of BT which installs new lines for all copper wire-based broadband.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3839764/Waiting-broadband-s-survive.html

Superfast broadband - beyond a joke

BT are to blame for delay

This is the latest news from Onlincolnshire. Steve Brookes is clearly as frustrated as the community.

From: Geoff Hall

Sent: 11 October 2016 16:07

To: Stephen Brookes

Subject: Nocton

Hi Steve,

I tried ringing this afternoon for a quick chat and update since 27th September, but you were unavailable.

A local resident has since been in touch with BT requesting an upgraded fibre service from Cab 17, but although it is now showing on the ISP’s system, it is not allowing orders to be placed.

Please will you let me know:

1. What is the current position regarding the ‘records’?
2. Has the change request now finally been signed off?
3. If not and there is a further delay to the CR, is there any way you can apply further pressure on BT to action this outstanding work, so people with the remaining ‘legacy’ lines can apply for an upgrade to the fibre service?

Kind regards,

Geoff

From: Stephen Brookes

Sent: 12 October 2016 07:29

To: eaton.fallows@bt.com

Cc: Geoff Hall; Naomi Nutting; Owen Williams

Subject: FW: Nocton

Good Morning Eaton,

Please see E Mail request from Mr Hall below.

Can you please give him an answer as to when the good people of Nocton can finally take up fibre services. I have been chasing you guys for months with little progress, so perhaps you would be good enough to explain.

The second and third points that Mr Hall makes are related to CR22 and again, perhaps you would be good enough to give Mr Hall a coherent answer.

Please accept my apologies Geoff, but I wanted it to be entirely clear that the delays here sit with BT and not LCC.

Regards

Steve

Steve Brookes

Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager

Tel. 01522 552450

Mob. 07825 043978

From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 13 October 2016 07:43:30
To: Fallows,E,Eaton,CHO R
Cc: 'Stephen Brookes'
Subject: Fibre broadband - Nocton

Dear Mr Fallows,

I refer to the correspondence below with OnLincolnshire. I would like to add some further information which may be useful to you when replying.

I have been reporting on the fibre project for our village ever since the Metheringham Exchange was upgraded. Indeed, you can see my latest blog that went out to the community just this morning. I appreciate you must be very busy with many other projects, nevertheless I’m sure you can empathise with our frustrations.

Incorporated within my blog is a full contemporaneous record of how this project has unfolded over the many months involved. As you can see, I have provided updates from OnLincolnshire, technical descriptions, actual photographs of work undertaken and also links to BT training videos, all aimed at helping local residents understand exactly what is going on. Suffice to say we have had some rather troubling delays, due to mistakes being made by BT contracted out services and a general lack of information from BT itself.

In view of this, Ofcom were offered this extensive record as part of the evidence to their ‘Strategic Review of Digital Communications’.

As we are almost at the point where the majority of local residents can now apply for an upgrade to fibre, I would really like to know when this service from Cab 17 will finally be released to ISPs. Furthermore, regarding the remaining ‘legacy lines’ which are still connected to Cab 3 situated a few kilometres away near the neighbouring village (unable to benefit from fibre), given that there is now the new fibre Cab 17 just metres away, a Change Request 22 has quite rightly been submitted by OnLincolnshire, in order to re-route the few remaining lines to the new Cab, so the whole community can then benefit from superfast broadband.

I would be interested in seeing what you have to say on the matter, as it does appear OnLincolnshire have also been experiencing difficulty obtaining information. It would be a shame if the community have to escalate this to a formal complaint.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff Hall


From: eaton.fallows@bt.com
Sent: 13 October 2016 09:28
To: Geoff Hall
Cc: Stephen Brookes; ian.k.mcewan@openreach.co.uk
Subject: RE: Fibre broadband - Nocton

Good Morning Mr Hall,

I will look further into this and update you.

Regards
Eaton

Eaton Fallows
Programme Manager/BT FRU/07843294682/eaton.fallows@bt.com
Sent with BT Mobile Messaging


If residents wish to escalate this matter, the contact details are below:

Stephen Phillips QC MP
6 Market Place
Sleaford
Lincolnshire NG34 7SD
Tel:01529 309131

or via:
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 7146
stephen.phillips.mp@parliament.uk

When writing or emailing, please include your full name and address within the constituency, without which he is not permitted to respond.

Additionally, we could escalate this by writing to BT's Chairman:

Sir Michael Rake [Chairman]

BT Customer Correspondence Centre

Providence Row

Durham

DH98 1BT

N.B. the two key individuals responsible for this project are:

1. Eaton Brookes [Program Director, BT] and
2. Steve Henderson [Regional Director, BT]

Responsible for NGA deployment across Central England, BDUK contracts and Local Authority partnerships.

Alternatively, the other option would be to make a report to Ofcom:

Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
Switchboard: 020 7981 3000 or 0300 123 3000


The Nocton BT story to date

2012
28th January - Broadband news
29th December - Superfast broadband

2013
1st July - Better broadband

2014
4th February - Broadband
7th April - Superfast broadband
20th June - Superfast fibre broadband
31st July - Superfast fibre broadband - update
11th October - Better broadband - just not in Nocton
5th December - Broadband

2015
14th January - Superfast broadband - update
19th April - Local broadband
17th May - Superfast broadband - or notfast broadband
23rd May - Superfast broadband - really
26th June - Superfast broadband - update
19th August - Fibre broadband - Nocton
21st September - Superfast broadband for Nocton
15th October - Superfast broadband for Nocton
26th October - Superfast broadband
1st December - Superfast broadband for Nocton

2016
1st January - Better broadband
12th January - Superfast broadband - update
8th February - Superfast broadband - update
12th February - Superfast broadband - update
7th March - Superfast broadband - update
11th March - Superfast broadband - latest news
20th March - Superfast broadband - latest news
26th March - Superfast broadband - latest news
31st March - Superfast broadband - latest news
13th April - Superfast broadband - latest news
17th April - Superfast broadband - latest news
19th April - Superfast broadband - update
21st April - Superfast broadband - further update
22nd April - Superfast broadband - losing patience
23rd April - Superfast broadband - latest
27th April - Superfast broadband - more news
4th May - Superfast broadband - no update
6th May - Superfast broadband - just in time
7th May - Superfast broadband - continuing saga
14th May - Superfast broadband - disconnect
22nd May - Superfast broadband - update
29th May - Superfast broadband - update
11th June - Superfast broadband - update
14th June - Superfast broadband - update
23rd June - Superfast broadband - update
1st July - Superfast broadband - update
17th July - Superfast broadband - update
26th July - Superfast broadband - good news
1st August - Slow broadband - want help
10th August - Superfast broadband - update
26th August - Superfast broadband - super slow commissioning
30th August - Broadband issues - update
31st August - Broadband issues - update
2nd September - Broadband issues - update
5th September - Broadband upgrade - ongoing
15th September - Superfast broadband - update
25th September - Superfast broadband - not long now
2nd October - Superfast broadband - frustratingly slow release
8th October - Superfast broadband - imminent
13th October - Superfast broadband - beyond a joke

Superfast broadband - imminent

Onlincolnshire Project Update

I refer to my previous blog on this matter. The latest update for week ending 7th October 2016:

"Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Commissioning complete, service availability imminent."

Why BT Broadband is not as good as it claims to be

Advertising campaign starring Hollywood hunk Ryan Reynolds is banned after rival firms complain that it paints them in an unfair light.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/720528/bt-broadband-ryan-reynolds-download-speed-advert-banned-claims-ASA

Superfast broadband - frustratingly slow release

Updates from OnLincolnshire

I refer to my last blog on this matter. This is the latest depressing news:

27th September 2016

Questions to Steve Brookes
1. Do we know if the revised records are now available for the ISP’s to offer fibre from the new cabinet 17?
2. Has the Change Request been finally signed off, if not have BT given any indication when this might happen?

Reply
1. I am told that the records will be finalised tomorrow, so fingers crossed.
2. The CR hasn't been formally signed off, but I am assured that it will happen within the next week or so. As soon as it, I will drop you a line.

30th September 2016

Project Updates
Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Still with commissioners to finalise records

Public update regarding letters sent to communities by BT
We are aware that a number of communities have been approached by BT in relation to the above scheme.

In essence, the scheme asks community members to express an interest in a fibre based broadband solution and then asks them to contribute towards the cost of the build.

This scheme isn't related to the Lincolnshire Broadband Programme and we are unaware of letters BT are sending out to communities.

Our position remains, that we will utilise existing funding from Contract 1 underspend and from what we call a clawback arrangement with BT to attempt to fund additional communities over and above what have been deployed in Contract 1 or is planned in contract 2. Until we have established which additional communities/premises we can cover with this funding, we cannot support any scheme that asks communities for funding which may subsequently be covered by the extra work we are currently investigating. We hope to make further announcements shortly regarding this matter.

Sky calls for BT Openreach separation

" BT’s response as the monopoly owner of Britain’s national broadband infrastructure is to underinvest in fibre and continue to sweat its existing copper network. “As a result, a mere 2 per cent of UK households had access to fibre to the home last year..."

http://advanced-television.com/2016/10/03/sky-exec-calls-for-bt-openreach-separation/

Superfast broadband - not long now

Project Update - Week ending 23rd September 2016

I refer to the last blog on improved broadband services for Nocton dated 15th September 2016.

The long running saga for the majority of residents now seems to be coming to an end, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the few still connected to the Metheringham Cab 3 at Dunston Top.

This is now the latest situation from OnLincolnshire. The Project Update report for week ended 23rd September 2016 shows:

"Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Services expected to be available at the end of next week".

I will try and get more information from Onlincolnshire about the Change Request for the remaining lines next week.

BT Openreach boss wants you to know that deep down, they care

'BT's Openreach is today releasing a service dashboard for customers in an attempt to be more transparent about its “performance issues” over areas such as missed appointments.'

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09/22/bt_openreach_releases_pr_exercise_dashboard/

Superfast broadband - update

I refer to my previous two updates:

• Broadband upgrade - ongoing
• Broadband issues - update

This is now the latest situation from OnLincolnshire. The Project Update report for week ended 9th September 2016 shows:

'Ready for service,' all engineering works and commissioning complete. Just awaiting the updates to wholesale computer records which may take a little longer than the usual two week timeframe as this is a brand new cabinet.

I have also been in touch again with Steve Brookes regarding the re-routing of the remaining lines and this is what he had to say:

Q1: With regard to your meeting with BT over the additional work to transfer the remaining lines to Cab 17, has the Change Request now finally been signed?
Answer: Still waiting for sign off. We have escalated this and expect it very soon.

Q2: You mentioned that BT agreed to progress the additional work as a priority, has this now been entered in their work schedule and when can we expect the work to take place?
Answer: Depends on the above, but whilst we will look to complete as soon as possible post signature, I will not incur additional costs over above what is programmed to achieve this.

Q3: If the Change Request has not yet been signed off, what is the reason for the delay?
Answer: BT's inability to react to anything in a timely manner. I believe it is a lack of resource, but they deny this. Should that be true, then it is their intransigence that is the issue.

I really hope this isn't a last minute hiccup after all the lobbying to get this extra work on legacy lines sorted.

How Openreach (BT) Handles Full to Capacity FTTC Broadband Cabinets

Few things are more frustrating than finding out that you can’t get the latest 40-80Mbps Fibre-to-the-Cabinet...

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2016/09/openreach-bt-handles-full-capacity-fttc-broadband-cabinets.html

Broadband Performance Indicator - June 2016

Broadband Performance Indicator detailing BDUK funding of superfast broadband

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/broadband-performance-indicator-june-2016

Broadband issues - update

Latest information

There have been numerous problems this week for local residents with their telephone and broadband services. This followed the extensive rewiring to remove Pillar 3/2 as a cabinet and activate the new cabinet PCP 17, in readiness for the fibre cabinet being commissioned.

BT management have been on-site today to talk to their engineers who have been working hard to reconnect services. I managed to have a chat with them and have also been in touch with Steve Brookes of OnLincolnshire again.

In summary, this is what I have discovered:

• Engineering work for the new cabinet PCP17 is now complete
• The last few reported faults with resident's lines are being repaired
• The visit by BT management was focused on the extra work arising from Telec Utilities wiring of the new cabinet over the Bank Holiday weekend
• It was also to examine a potential structural integrity issue with one of the block connectors used in the new cabinet, where bayonet fixings have sheared off after minimal use - the offending item has been removed for detailed examination
• OnLincolnshire is now awaiting revised records from BT Openreach to allow the new cabinet to be released to the various Internet Service Providers - this normally takes around 2 weeks maximum
• BT have also agreed to progress the additional work to connect the remaining 'legacy lines' to the new cabinet PCP17 - this work will be carried out as a priority after the change request is signed off
• The change request is likely to be signed off next week
• There is a firm commitment from the BT Openreach Delivery Manager on this matter

The weekly project update from OnLincolnshire reads as follows:

Delayed Cabinets
Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Work complete, awaiting records return then will go to 'ready for service'

Broadband issues - update

BT Openreach sorting problems

I understand there are still reports of many telephone lines and broadband with a disconnected service, or linked to alternative numbers in Nocton. However, rest assured the BT Openreach guys are on-site again today and are working to troubleshoot and repair the problem.

If you haven't done so already, please make sure you have reported your particular issue to the telephone/broadband supplier who provides your service. The engineer can only attend to those problems he has on his notification system.
 

Image courtesy of BBC

OnLincolnshire

In view of the ongoing problems, I requested an update from Steve Brookes this morning. This is what he had to say on the matter:


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 31 August 2016 06:55
To: Stephen Brookes
Subject: Update - Nocton

Good morning Steve,

I can’t imagine the many issues that have faced you upon your return to work, however I trust you had a good break.

The work in Nocton has caused a few problems, some of which still haven’t been resolved, despite the hard work of the Openreach lads yesterday. As you are probably aware by now, the copper connection of PCP17 was carried out by Telec Utilities over the Bank Holiday weekend, but unfortunately this left almost 30 properties with line problems. I have been advised there are still a few remaining issues – one relates to the Parish Council chairman’s broadband/telephone line… and he is not best pleased!!

However, I’m sure these minor hiccups will be fixed over the next few days, so I’m more focused now in the actual commissioning of the fibre cabinet and the change request to transfer over the legacy lines.

The latest news from Owen whilst you were away was that: ECD remains mid-September as per the update from Openreach, if this is achieved commission should be complete and services available by the end of September.

1. Can you confirm with the project team this is still the case please?
2. Additionally, please will you try and determine the scheduled dates for moving the remaining legacy lines?

As Cab 3 [Dunston junction] is now directly connected through to the new cabinet 17… and the BT engineer has assured me there are sufficient spare lines, there shouldn’t be the need for costly civil work.

Given that the initial deadline of March 2016 for the fibre service has slipped somewhat, we don’t want to be waiting months before the remaining lines are transferred over to the new cabinet. My neighbours and I are very keen to get our lines transferred over to the new cabinet asap, so that we will finally be able to apply for the fibre service sooner rather than later.

Hoping you can come back with some good news.

Best regards,
Geoff


From: Stephen Brookes
Sent: 31 August 2016 08:48
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Update - Nocton

Good Morning Geoff,

Thanks very much, the break was really enjoyable. I trust I find you well.

Please accept my apologies for the chaos that has prevailed over the past couple of days at Nocton. As I understand things, the contractors caused a few issues whilst carrying out a certain aspect of the changeover work and whilst this isn't in anyway the norm, a certain 'Law' dictates that it if it could go wrong, it would go wrong at Nocton.

I am told this morning that all that final bits of the copper changeover and this will completed this week. That then allows final testing and completion of the job. Mid-September looks reasonable in terms of achievement.

With regard to the transfer of the legacy lines, it is our intention to ask BT to complete them as a matter of urgency as soon as the cabinet is fully completed. As I mentioned before, this aspect of the work is covered by a Change Request which I should get imminently for my sign off. This then releases the job into the workstream.

I am meeting BT on Thursday and will get a firm commitment from them in terms of a date for this changeover.

Once again, my apologies for the delays and thanks to everyone for their continued patience in this matter.

Regards
Steve
Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager

Superfast broadband - super slow commissioning

Latest news

Further to my last blog on this matter this is the current situation:

Emails with Marianne Overton MBE

From: Marianne Overton
Sent: 21 August 2016 02:06
To: Geoff Hall, Nocton
Subject: Fwd: Update for Nocton please

Hi Geoff,

I hope you are OK. What news on the broadband in Nocton, due to be completed last March? Steve Brookes is on holiday at the moment, but I just wanted to find out where we were.

It  does seem to be appalling that we have spent so much on a system that does not reach the rural areas properly. Are you on Twitter or Facebook? I tweeted some useful links recently, which you may have already seen. I have been working on it nationally through the Local Government Association and there is some info on the website.

I spoke to the Leader of Cornwall recently who has had substantial rural funds spent on broadband. He was very positive about their achievement of 30Mbpc to 95pc of a very dispersed population. Now working towards 99pc!

Kind regards,
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 21 August 2016 08:06
To: Marianne Overton
Cc: Nocton Parish Council
Subject: RE: Update for Nocton please

Good morning Marianne,

I am very well – thank you for asking… and also for checking up on the broadband issue for Nocton.

I have been lobbying Onlincolnshire and BT for quite some time now as you know. I am happy to report we are finally making progress. The fibre cabinet has been installed (near The Green), along with another link cabinet, but neither have been commissioned yet. We are still awaiting a date from BT on when this might ‘go live’.

Although BT are in the process of commissioning the new fibre cabinet for the majority of Nocton residents, there are still a few residents connected to another cabinet near Dunston on legacy lines which would not be able to obtain the upgraded fibre (mainly living in Main Street and Wellhead Lane). Due to our extensive lobbying, Steve has now raised a separate ‘Change Request’ to get these legacy lines transferred to the new fibre cabinet in Nocton. I think the funding is coming from savings made to date.

BT is currently scheduling this work in as a separate project I believe, but we are still awaiting further details. Once Steve is back from holiday, please be assured I will be chasing him again. The problem seems to be the mammoth organisation that is BT. BT Openreach have been quite amenable to carrying out this extra work, but the contract is being organised through BT itself, and it is like wading in treacle!

Steve has been working hard to support us - my latest community update was on 10th August 2016 (also see the Comments). My previous report was dated 26th July 2016.

With regard to Facebook, I use this social medium quite actively to keep in touch with friends and family around the world. I have sent you a ‘Friend Request’ if you wish to link up online.

Finally, there is another issue in Nocton that you may wish to look into – that is the piecemeal overdevelopment of our village without provision of further facilities.

Following the granting of outline planning permission for a dwelling to the rear of The Shieling [15/1127/OUT], this appears to have set rather a precedent for the village. Mr Paul Clarke (ex Nocton Farms Ltd) has now submitted an application [16/0862/OUT] to develop the land behind the Village Hall – only a single dwelling currently, but I’m sure if successful this will lead to a further application. There is some history behind this site which you might be interested in. You will see I have already lodged an objection. Peter Sowerby also continues to squeeze in many more dwellings than originally planned on his final phase on Nocton Park. The latest application causing much controversy and many objections is 16/0795/FUL. I have also objected to this too.

Best regards,
Geoff


From: Marianne Overton
Sent: 21 August 2016 13:00
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: Re: Update for Nocton please

Thanks a lot Geoff and thank you for all your continuing excellent work for us. As I am your county councillor rather than District, I do not get informed unless residents raise it with me. So thank you. I will look at your sit again. I do normally check it monthly before writing my monthly newsletter.

Kindest Regards,
Marianne


Emails with OnLincolnshire

From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 24 August 2016 20:17
To: Stephen Brookes (OnLincolnshire)
Cc: Marianne Overton; Nocton Parish Council
Subject: Urgent update for Nocton please
Importance: High

Hi Steve,

You may like to see that Marianne has been in touch for an update regarding broadband for Nocton (see correspondence below). I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there will be no work carried out this week on the new fibre Cab 17.

Since I reported back to Marianne, a problem seems to have arisen. I managed to speak with a BT engineer who had the Cab 17 door open on Tuesday 23rd. There has been a misunderstanding between BT Openreach and the external contractor, both who thought the other were doing the work to commission the Cab – as a result we are no further forward. The copper line has not even been fed through from Pillar 3/2 to Cab 17, therefore no lines have yet been connected and there will be no fibre service being commissioned in the short term.

The BT engineer is going to report back to his Line Manager to advise that the required work is still outstanding and to recommend they actually take over responsibility for feeding through the new copper line between Pillar 3/2 and Cab 17, so that the fibre cabinet can then be commissioned. As regards the additional work to re-route the legacy lines from Cab 3 to Cab 17, the BT engineer is aware of the Change Request, but told me this work will remain with the external contractor to complete – and he thought it would be done during Phase 2 of the work plan (whatever that means).

In view of this diabolical situation, please can you chase both aspects of this work as a matter of urgency and let me know:

1. What exactly is the situation regarding the contracted work?
2. When can we expect this work to be carried out?
3. When will Cab 17 actually be commissioned?
4. When will the Cab 3 legacy lines be re-routed to Cab 17?
5. When will residents be able to apply for the new fibre service?

I think we have all been very patient thus far and this is now getting beyond a joke – if what the BT engineer told me is actually true!

Best regards,
Geoff


From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 24 August 2016 20:22
To: Owen Williams (OnLincolnshire)
Subject: FW: Urgent update for Nocton please

Good evening Owen,

I understand Steve is out of the office until Monday 29th – in view of the developing situation described below, you may want to attend to this email in advance of his return to work.

There is an ongoing situation with the commissioning of Cab 17 for Nocton, which you will see from my report below.

Kind regards,
Geoff


From: Owen Williams
Sent: 25 August 2016 10:20
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Urgent update for Nocton please

Hello Geoff,

Please excuse the brief response, I am currently bogged down in contractual/State Aid scrutiny of a BT change request, but I will speak to the BT Openreach project manager this afternoon to see what is going on.

In the meantime please see below update provided by the BT Openreach project manager on Monday which I passed to Marianne at the time:

“I got your voicemail. Metheringham 3/2 (PCP17) requires the circuits moving from the old cast iron shell outside the Post Office to the other side of the road. The civils work is complete on this and the cabling and jointing activity should start by the end of this week. The fibre route has not been proven yet. The DSLAM is stood and powered. ECD for build completion is mid-September but we are pushing for the earliest completion.”

As soon as I have spoken to Openreach I will provide a further (hopefully more detailed) response.

Kind regards,
Owen Williams
Business Support Projects & Training team

Supporting Lincolnshire Broadband Programme

Lincolnshire County Council

Tel: 01522 552296

From: Geoff Hall
Sent: 25 August 2016 11:56
To: Owen Williams
Subject: RE: Urgent update for Nocton please

Hi Owen,

Thank you for your quick response – and good luck with the ‘Change Request’ contractual issues. Why is nothing involving the BT behemoth, easy – no need to comment on that one!

I look forward to getting more detail regarding our ongoing situation in Nocton in due course.

Try and have a restful weekend to counter the pressures of public service. I can empathise with you given my previous employment prior to retirement.

Best regards,
Geoff


From: Owen Williams
Sent: 26 August 2016 12:59
To: Geoff Hall
Subject: RE: Urgent update for Nocton please

Hi Geoff,

I spoke to the Openreach manager yesterday evening, he stated there wasn’t a resource issue/contractor confusion and that work on cabling & jointing should start today, if you don’t notice any activity today please let me know and I was (will) get Steve to escalate on his return (Tuesday 30th). ECD remains mid-September as per the update from Openreach, is (if) this is achieve(d) commission should be complete and services available by the end of September.

Also thank you for you(r) kind words, and have a good bank holiday weekend yourself.

Kind regards,
Owen

Project Update - Week ending 26th August 2016

Metheringham 3/2 (Nocton) - Needs external fibre provision and the Exchange to be completed; cabling & jointing to start early next week; if there are no civils/traffic management issues build will be complete within a fortnight; commissioning to follow.

26th August (pm) - Telec Utilities - cabling and jointing Pillar 3/2 with PCP17 

PCP 17 - the open cabinet showing mounting columns and connectors

Open access duct near Post Office - the enormity of the job
 to connect the new cabinet

BT Openreach - instructional videos

1. Introducing the next generation PCP features
2. Installing the mounting columns
3. Installing the connectors

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