Can Virgin use BT ducting to provide service my property?

[chrispy87]

Hi all,
I'll be moving into a new build bungalow in October, the small development (4 semis and 1 bungalow) is not far from being complete.
The bungalow is set back from the road, behind the 4 new semi-detached properties.
VM service the road, and had previously serviced the original property this site was built on.

The developer didn’t get VM installed before the build of the new properties, but there is a duct for the BT phone line that goes to the road from the bungalow we’re buying.

I’d imagine the cost to rip up the tarmac drive to the bungalow and brick driveway outside the property for VM to lay their own duct would be a huge cost.

Can VM use the BT duct to supply my new built bungalow?

[jpeg1]

That would depend what Openreach/BT fitted. If it is a conventional duct it might be physically possible, if they have been installed with fibre to the house then no. But there are a number of possible problems that only Virginmedia could resolve.  One is that there is a limit on the length of VM's cable. 

[chrispy87]

Thanks for the reply.

I believe it's a standard duct, not FTTP as BT don't supply that in the area.

Do you know the max length VM's cable can be?

Thank you.

[jpeg1]

Depends on various factors including the position of the local cabinet. All you can do is request a VM survey of the site. A staff member here may offer to help with that. 

[chrispy87]

Thank you,

Let's hope a VM staff member replies.

[nodrogd]

This will depend on 3 factors.

1) Most most importantly there must be a suitable interconnect between VMs ducting & BTs.

2) Most areas are still serviced by VMs copper coaxial hybrid systems. These cannot be expanded as it would be detrimental to existing users, so VM will have to decide if you can take up taps in the cabinet that are already allocated (but currently unused) to the existing dwellings in the street & reduce the overall coverage of the road.

3) Coaxial cables can block BT ducts, as they are narrower than VMs. So unless they are designed to carry both at the build stage you will likely be unlucky.

[Jodi_S]

Hi chrispy87,

A warm welcome and thanks for posting on our community forums. We can check with our specialist team to see if anything can be done with regards to your question.

As our valued members have already advised, this may not be an option, however we can certainly enquire for you.

I will pop you over a private message to take some personal details. Please click on the envelope at the top of the page to accept the chat. 

Kind regards Jodi. 

[Jodi_S]

Thanks for the private message chrispy87,

The relevant form has been filled in for you now and sent off.

You will be contacted by our specialist team in the next 10 working days, possibly sooner to discuss the next steps.

Kind regards Jodi. 

[Jonny-M]

If this is a new build and the developer hasn't worked with VM to get the service installed then I would say it's very unlikely that you will be able to be served.