Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

I live in a block of 36 flats in a Virgin Cable area. There is a large street cabinet directly outside the premises.

This cabinet has been recently upgraded by Virgin Media. (VM)

(VM) are interested in installing a cable service.

There are complications in obtaining wayleave permissions.

1. The buildings are leasehold, the landlords agent is SIMARC, who are notorious for asking for exorbitant fees.

2. The grounds and gardens are owned by another owner, as yet unknown.

VM have approached SIMARC and as expected have asked for a ridiculous amount which VM will not entertain.

The reason for pursuing this is that the flats all suffer poor ADSL, due to a long telephone line.... and no chance of fibre due to exchange only lines.

I am seeking ideas on how to progress this, if possible.

Thanks.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Sounds like all 36 of you need to get together and gang up on the landlord basically! You'll get nowhere with SIMARC as they are basically just acting on their clients (the landlord's) interests. Which is to get as much dosh out of you all for as little cost as possible. If you don't know who your landlord is, then you will need to write to SIMARC.

If you all sign a letter, be polite but firm, stating that your broadband services are not up to scratch, this should send a chill down the landlord's spine.... To risk losing 36 lots of rent is a big deal and besides if they had to get new tenants, the first thing anyone new would ask for is fast broadband. If they don't provide it, they risk devaluing their property which can be as much as 20% these days.

It's for the landlord to find out and sort out about the wayleaves, who owns what land etc. But you can check yourself by going to the land registry website.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks, unfortunately of the 36 flats, only approx. 11 flats have shown a keen interest.

As for the remainder, there is an abundant amount of apathy.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

You probably aren't going to get very far if the current managing agents / freeholder see this as a cash cow. Add to that another party having ownership rights and you are into a world of pain. If there are a minoroity of flat owners interested in the upgrade it won't be worth the effort.

As leaseholders you may have rights to grab control of your block. You can go for self management, but that won't resolve land ownership and the freeholder / third party rights to demand fees for wayleaves. You could club together to buy the freehold, but that takes a lot of time and money. All need a minimum number of participants. see lease-advice.org.

Fundamentally you are screwed.

I think you are confusing shorter term 6-12 months lettings, and long leasehold property owner interests. The Freeholder in a vast majority of cases already had their money on long leasehold (unless those leases were granted many years ago perhaps only on 99 year terms so are now shortening and perhaps due for extension). So the Freeholder, for whom the agents no doubt act, has little interest in broadband and the ground rent he receives (possibly only a few hundred from all flats combined) is due regardless.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Even if you can get several signatures, that's still better than one. Would a landlord risk losing several lots of rent in one go, I don't think so. Try it, they can't terminate your lease just because you have asked for a cable to be connected. Phrase the letter along the lines of "will add value to your property, ensure continued tenancy of property etc." Make it clear that it's in their own interests to allow the connection and charging fees for the wayleave is not in their interests.

---------- Post added at 00:14 ---------- Previous post was at 00:05 ----------

Probably am getting confused but I am not entirely sure either way. He's talking about leasehold properties who have a landlord and an agent, yet the land/gardens is owned by someone else. How can that be?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Have sent suitable e-mail, as have other people, to SIMARC.

As expected completely ignored.

Not even the decency to reply.

SIMARC have a large "trackrecord" of this type of behaviour.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

If polite emails/letters don't work, try less polite methods....be a nuisance. If they're bombarded by calls from you and the other people interested day after day, you might just grind them into submission.

Don't give up. I'm a polite person, but I find I only get results when the gloves come off.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

@ Horizon. I agree with you, that is what I am trying to organise.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

At last, a positive update. One of our residents went ahead and approached Virgin Media direct.

Short story, they agreed to a SOLO install, which is now up and running.

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, our "COMMITTEE" were forced into a vote by the residents, which was unanimous.

SIMARC our freeholder was not interested, said go ahead, all wayleaves have been satisfied, we have been surveyed and an install plan has been put forward by V.M.

All we now need is "THE COMMITTEE" to sign it off and hopefully VM will start the install A.S.A.P.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

A further update.

“We have received back all the paperwork and xxxx, has submitted the plans to
finance and is awaiting a reply.

Once xxxx gets confirmations of this, he will contact your committee and make
arrangements for the infrastructure to be completed”…

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Latest: xxxx.xxx is arranging this and a number of other flat complexes with a contractor and expects to start shortly – he will advise your man there and agree a start date with him


All occupiers will be notified in writing once agreed on the back of this.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

UPDATE:

BRINGING SUPERFAST SERVICES TO YOUR HOME


Dear Residents,

Virgin Media are now working to provide superfast fibre optic broadband and TV services to your building.

The build plans have been completed by a member of the Virgin Media planning team and approved by the freeholder/management agent. We are looking to progress the ground works and installation of the cabling in the very near future. All works will be undertaken with minimum disruption to you.

Estimated start date: 13th December 2017

The cabling work may be completed internally within the communal areas or externally. We apologise in advance for any disruption in which it may cause.

**There may also be a period of necessary drilling works that needs to be undertaken during the installation programme, this will be completed within service hours as quickly as possible, keeping noise and disruption to a minimum. We apologise for the intermittent noise levels and limited disturbance this may cause residents**

We hope you are looking forward to having the option of taking Virgin Media services. We will write to you once the installation is complete with further details.

Kind Regards

Virgin Media

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Several lengths of green ducting and some barriers have been delivered today.

Now residing on our front lawn.

I assume that the street works for this ducting will commence tomorrow, 2 days late.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

An epic failure, Virgin vans, sub contractors all on site, all walking about talking on mobile 'phones.

Then ......NOTHING, all disappear.

This morning even the green ducting has been removed.

There is hope, the street works are still listed on ROADWORKS, permission granted till 18 DEC.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Did you get your connection?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

No.....a lot of confusion, apparently the contractor who was supposed to lay the green ducting from the inspection pit to the premises, did not agree to the planned route.
Nothing is showing on ROADWORKS for next 3 Mths.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

This is the info. we have received from Virgin.

We were due to start the civils works on Thursday last week but the civils teams raised concerns over the dig at the front of the building (similar to the concerns sent over by 2 of the residents week before last)."

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

No further update to this.

I have contacted V.M. by email 5 days ago, but have not had any response.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

No further update, still waiting.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Still waiting for an update to this.

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...o/td-p/3538495

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Today, Kelly Comms on site, walking around with a handful of plans.

Said they were surveying a route for the cables to enter the site, from the inspection pit outside on the grass verge.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Didn’t know Kelly’s had anything to do with network expansion. Interestingly today I saw a VM branded van in an area of Wirral that’s miles away from a VM network.

They’re self employed so I understand that he may live there though and was on personal business. But you never know.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

A Kelly van, VIRGIN Hi- Vis.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Yeah, which always throws me as I’m used to dealing with Openreach’s network where contractors are clearly contractors. They are not allowed to wear Openreach clothing as they don’t work for Openreach.

Whereas with Virgin you have the situation where these subcontractors are going round in Virgin uniforms. I’ve even seen a full on VM branded van with a little Kelly’s logo at the bottom.

The van I saw the other day had a big Kelly’s logo and a small VM logo.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

KELLY or VIRGIN..?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

He really wanted a dog but they gave him a wheel to walk instead. :D

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Still waiting... patiently.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

The latest from V.M.

"On the 21/05/2018 there’s a note from finance stating that this job has been put on hold as it’s deemed over budget at the moment.

It could be revisited in the future but for now it looks like there won’t be any further progress."

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Clutching at straws here, one flat in an adjacent block in same complex as myself has a " Solo Virgin install"

The usual Omnibox is mounted on outside wall circa 30 mtrs from my wall.

Is it possible that Virgin would be able to connect to this and provide a service to me.

Of course this all depends if they are willing in the first place.

Meanwhile, still having to cope with this .

https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2018/06/1.png

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Unfortunately not, the properties will not be able to be released without a proper pre-wire under the new MDU guidelines we have.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks for your reply. It was originally installed April 2017. Cable runs from street cabinet, through the garden, up to the O/box.

From there it runs on outside wall bunched with all the TV antennae cables, then a vertical run and through the wall into the flat.

I assume the rules/regulations have now changed?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

There used to be the option for spotters/direct sales to release ground floor/first floor flats as individually serviceable if there was no wayleave concern to get an install booked. Unfortunately now this messes up our project for MDU connections by taking the building out of scope.

The process your building has gone through is for a full external/internal wire depending on the build type and then all properties have access to service at the same time. Not being cost effective would suggest there probably isn't enough capacity locally for the number of apartments in your unit or more than likely excessive civil's work required to get a feed to the building.

It will stay in the "pot" until our cost per property increases as the build advances I would assume.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks, all very useful information. Last year the block next door of 26 units was fully connected.

Days before our aborted attempt (Dec 2017) an extra amplifier was fitted in the cabinet directly outside.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

NTL appeared in the council flats we lived in around 1998. They had to bore 4 inch holes through foot-thick concrete floors in each of the 3 buildings. 11 floors in each, 4 flats per floor.

After that was done we all got knocks on the door asking if we wanted to sign up to their service. No-one had contacted them to ask for the service, they were "in the area" so took a gamble.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

And that's why..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1975874.stm

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

"more than likely excessive civil's work required to get a feed to the building."

The VM cabinet is directly outside our premises, so no excessive cable runs required.

As a further development, a number of people have asked if we or the management company offered to make a suitable contribution to VM, could it be accepted as a reduction in their installation costs?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

It might not be as simplistic as there being a cabinet outside though, this is always the fatal mistake when assuming you can get service. That cabinet may be an end of line cabinet or a distribution amp that already has 3 legs (max) in use (or there are already the maximum number of amps in cascade from that leg of the fibre node).

For this type of work a new distribution point would be created to provide the capacity to serve all the apartments, the build type on the existing network now would be HFC only with no copper as Telco would be provided by the new digital phone service. Civils upgrades may be needed to get from the nearest network point to the building along the existing track as the ducts may be congested (a very common issue in ex-Telewest areas due to the way the access network was built).

This would have been surveyed and a full costing would have been supplied to our board for approval, if it was too expensive it would be put on the hold list for future build when all the more cost effective builds have been completed.

HTH

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

@weesteev, all useful info.

As mentioned, last December a new distribution amp. was fitted in the cab. outside, the tech said it was for our complex. There is one further amp in situ.

The cab. is fed from a main cab. which is circa 1Km away.

It appears that the system has changed since first planned last year.

Please see posts 10-17 inc. of this long running saga.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

I can only speculate until I see the design and schematic for this project. if you want to PM me your details and the project reference if you have it then I can have a look in more detail for you if that helps?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

A further update. I mentioned previously that we did have a solo install to one flat only.

I have now been informed that the volunteer "CHAIR" of our complex, is now attempting to have this removed, by legal action if necessary.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

LATE NEWS – Friday evening.
I have just received a message from Virgin saying that they have now
managed to identify money from the budget to be able to install Superfast
Broadband at ***** **** – BUT- they still wish to arrange for a representative
to come on site first to speak to as many residents as possible to confirm
uptake. I am sure that this will identify sufficient interest to take-up.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

See post #40 A VM tech was onsite today, completely removing the connection and cables for the "solo install"

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

"A Virgin media representative will be visiting during the evening of Wednesday 12 September to speak to individual residents to ascertain if there is sufficient interest in having their broadband installed."

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Good to see things moving ;)

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks, yes onsite tonight, I supplied them with the details of all the

absentees, who are positive in requiring the service.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Have been informed that Full infrastructure install will commence Oct. 1, should be complete by Oct 16.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

The full infrastructure install is well underway. All the internal cabling is being installed first.

According to "Roadworks" Virgin will start the street works next Monday 1 Oct.

Only a single co-ax cable is being wired to each apartment, does this mean that a POTS telephone service will not be available?

I am therefore assuming that it will be a VOIP service only?

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Correct, we dont deploy copper telephony any any new build/infill project now. Coax only and digital voice for phone services.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks Steve, my Q. answered.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Very welcome my good man, keep us posted on progress!

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Happening now.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Great news! I'm jealous as I cant currently get service myself :)

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

It is a major dig and multiple ductwork exercise.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

"We" now have our very own cabinet, complete with a cable direct from the
street cabinet.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Infrastructure install has been completed today....Phew.

All fully connected, should go live hopefully Nov 1

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

"We" are now showing as available on CABLE MY STREET.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

I hadn't realised it had taken 4 years to get this far! Good luck.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Sounds like persistence has finally paid off. :tu:

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Have now finally arranged installation date for Tues. 6 Nov. a.m. that is after numerous SMS messages offering alternative dates, and then saying NOT AVAILABLE.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

The hand of coincidence? Two weeks after the VM infrastructure install, B.T. Openreach onsite for Fibre install..

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Or they've been keeping an eye on local planning applications :D

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Now connected..only ordered B.B.& & phone, have been sent a V6 as well,

which I did not order.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

I have been asked to return the V6 box, which was incorrectly supplied and installed.

Can I remove the splitter and the V6 co-ax supply cable.

I also notice that a 6dB forward path attenuator has been fitted on the HUB 3 connection, does that have to stay?

Thanks.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

If you don't have a proper terminator then remove the splitter and connect the cable directly to the hub. This maintains the impedance matching of the cable and prevents interference on the network and "suckouts" at certain frequencies.

Your signal levels at the hub will change by 4-6db. Down stream rising and upstream falling. Leave the FPA in circuit and then check your signal levels at the hub. Access the hub page at 192.168.100.1 and click on "router status"

You can then check the levels on the appropriate pages. DS should ideally be 0dbmv but +/-8dbmv acceptable. Upstream between 35 and 50dbmv.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Thanks, that is reassuring, I have copied all the info. from the Hub, so I can compare.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

As stated by heero_yuy upstream has fallen, and downstream has risen.

Downstream channels 17-20 running a bit "hot", 9.6, 10, 10.3, 9 respectively.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Router update this am.

https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2018/11/6.png

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Yes its got the Puma fix.

Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block
 

Nearly finally, my tel. No. has been ported over this am.