Project Gigabit
Contents
- Project Gigabit overview
- Public review
- Project Gigabit information for suppliers
- Project Gigabit information for customers
- More information on Project Gigabit
- Project Gigabit frequently asked questions
- Contacting Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions we've had regarding Project Gigabit.
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) is a connectivity technology that is based on a combination of fibre optic cable and copper cable, it is the most common type of broadband connection used in UK homes.
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) - sometimes called ultrafast broadband - is where a fibre cable runs directly from the telephone exchange into your home or business.
FTTP is capable of far higher speeds and typically offers the same speed of upload as with download. FTTC on the other hand has a much lower speed ceiling and upload speeds are often a fraction of download speeds.
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) is a connectivity technology that is based on a combination of fibre optic cable and copper cable, it is the most common type of broadband connection used in UK homes
The improved infrastructure will be used by Internet Service Providers (ISP) to offer a range of broadband packages to customers. If your current broadband package meets your needs, then you do not need to do anything. However, if you want more than what you are currently receiving (for example faster speeds) you will need to upgrade your existing package. It is important to note that your broadband speed does not automatically improve, you do need to upgrade to a fibre package to benefit from faster speeds.
Although Openreach is installing the infrastructure, they are providing an open network which means a wide range of ISPs will be given the opportunity to offer their services across the improved network; this means you should be able to choose from a range of providers to purchase the best package to suit your needs. However, please note that the decision to provide services will be down to each individual ISP as per their business model and is outside of the control of this project to influence.
Before ordering a new service, especially if you are considering changing providers, we would advise checking with your existing ISP that you're not tied into a contract as it may cost you to move.
To check out the best deals for your area, there are multiple broadband comparison sites you can use to check what ISPs are offering. The Ofcom (Office of Communications) website: Price comparison (ofcom.org.uk) (opens new window) will give you access to Ofcom accredited comparison websites.
We would always recommend the use of a broadband comparison website to identify those ISPs who have chosen to provide a fibre service from the upgraded infrastructure; don't assume that your existing ISP will be offering a fibre service as not all ISPs choose to do so.
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) - sometimes called ultrafast broadband - is where a fibre cable runs directly from the telephone exchange into your home or business.
Who can I buy it from?
The first thing you need to do is visit: Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband service providers (openreach.com) (opens new window) to see which providers can offer ultrafast fibre broadband. Please note that we do not endorse one provider over another, and we encourage you to undertake your own research to identify an ISP and package that best suits your particular needs.
Unlike a Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) connection, FTTP installation requires a broadband engineer to bring the fibre cables all the way into your premises.
Step 1 - Place an order
As mentioned previously, not every ISP offers FTTP currently, so it is important that you investigate which suppliers can provide the service. When placing an order with your chosen ISP, they will provide you with a date when an engineer will come out to carry out tests or even a survey, should one be necessary.
Step 2 - Survey
In the early stages of an order, a site survey may be required to assess what work needs to be done to install the fibre connection. It is important to note that no work will be carried out without your permission and you agreeing to any costs that may be associated with this for which you are liable. In some cases, additional works may be required to bring the fibre cable into your premises.
Step 3 - Engineer appointment
Fibre optic cable is run via underground ducts or telegraph poles to your premises and connected to a small box on the wall. The engineer connects the fibre optic cable to a small box (approximately 15 cm x 10 cm x 3 cm) which will need to be fixed to the outside wall of your premises; the box will need to be installed at a height that can be worked on from ground level.
There is also a requirement to perform some work inside your premises. The interior work is needed to extend the fibre optic cable inside the premises. A special fibre optic modem known as an Optical Network Termination device is connected.
There may be a short interruption to your telephone service during this work. Also, if you have an alarm on your phone line, please let your provider know that your line may go down for a few minutes, which could trigger a false alarm on any security system linked to your telephone line.
If you're moving to Wiltshire, as a first step, you will need to establish the existing speed of supply to the properties you are considering. If there is currently a live telecoms connection to the property, we suggest contacting the estate agent to ask for the phone number of the premises so that you can use a broadband comparison website to identify what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can offer. If this isn't possible, you can use BT's broadband availability checker website: BT Broadband (btwholesale.com) (opens new window) to check the potential speed of connection currently available to the property, using the existing telephone number or address (please note that address searches provide only an indicative result).
If you can not get a result using the above methods, then please contact us at broadband@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) for advice.
If you are thinking of buying a new build, talk to the developer and ask what their plans are to provide fibre broadband to the site. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Wiltshire Council will be able to provide fibre broadband to new developments as the responsibility for connection rests with the developer.
We do not have a contractual relationship with any ISP, therefore, the contract you enter into with your ISP is outside the scope of this project to manage or influence. If you have complaints about your level of service, you will need to take this up directly with your ISP or Ofcom. The Ofcom website can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk (opens new window) or you can call them on 0300 123 3333 or 020 7981 3040.
Our contract specifically invests in upgrading the infrastructure that provides fibre broadband, which is then open to any Internet Service Provider (ISP). As a result, we do not have a contractual relationship with any ISP, and therefore the contract you enter into with your ISP is outside the scope of this project to manage or influence. If you have queries about your service or engineer visits, you will need to contact your ISP directly.
Superfast broadband does have line length limitations which means that, even though your street cabinet may be fibre enabled, it doesn't automatically follow that everyone will be able to get a superfast service; we do however anticipate most residents will see an uplift in speed. Again, we recommend the use of a broadband comparison website such as BT Broadband (btwholesale.com) (opens new window) to identify those ISPs offering an improved fibre service to your premises.
You can also use BT's broadband availability checker website BT Broadband (btwholesale.com) (opens new window) to check the potential speed of connection currently available to the property, using the existing number or address (please note that address searches provide only an indicative result).
Reasons that you may not be able to order a superfast service include the fact that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has chosen not to provide a fibre service from the upgraded cabinet; therefore, we always recommend the use of a broadband comparison website such as BT Broadband (btwholesale.com) (opens new window) to identify those ISPs who are offering fibre to your premises.