Installing new cable service in apartment block

[Brunel]

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?

[weesteev]

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.

[Brunel]

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.

[Taf]

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.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Taf

No-one had contacted them to ask for the service, they were "in the area" so took a gamble.

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

The UK's biggest cable TV operator NTL has filed for bankruptcy protection as part of a plan to put the debt-ridden company back on a sound financial footing

[Brunel]

"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?

[weesteev]

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

[Brunel]

@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.

[weesteev]

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?

[Brunel]

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.

[Brunel]

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.

[Brunel]

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

[Brunel]

"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."

[weesteev]

Good to see things moving

[Brunel]

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

absentees, who are positive in requiring the service.