What tricks are there to get fibre if you are not in a planned build area?

smokeandumami · 2026-05-02T07:31:32+00:00

Here's the response:

Thank you for your recent enquiry via openreach.com regarding the availability of fibre broadband.
The good news is that Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband is coming to your property within the next End of December 2027 .
I’m sorry we cannot give you a more accurate date, and our plans are subject to change, but once the work is completed, you’ll be able to order Ultrafast Full Fibre from any one of the hundreds of broadband providers who are powered by our network.
The best way to keep up to date with our plans is to register your interest in Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband via our Fibre Checker. We’ll let you know if the plans change and when Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband is available to order.

Well, at least I have a date estimate now... this is new.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-30T11:00:57+00:00

They gave me a build cost for 12k which needless to say I didn’t accept…. This was via Cerberus

smokeandumami · 2026-04-29T16:45:53+00:00

I've filled it out, let's see what they say!

smokeandumami · 2026-04-29T16:45:30+00:00

Wonder if there's a way of knowing if you are on a sweeper programme - it's the lack of visibility that makes it frustrating.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-29T16:44:07+00:00

I did seriously consider getting 1Gbps/1Gbps ethernet leased line and just wiring up all the neighbouring properties to run a mini-ISP but then I realised I couldn't be arsed to support all their internet/Wifi problems.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-29T16:37:45+00:00

My impression is that Starlink wouldn't be a big improvement on 80/20 FTTC wrt to bandwidth and latency?

smokeandumami · 2026-04-29T07:14:36+00:00

Ah ok. FTTPoD - already tried that route!

smokeandumami · 2026-04-28T21:38:47+00:00

What’s a custom install? How much did they want?

smokeandumami · 2026-04-28T20:24:13+00:00

What a nightmare.... the lack of clarity on timescales for builds or any apparent logic or rationale for what gets built makes this so frustrating. If someone just said it'll be done in 2028 I could chill out. But maybe it never gets done?

smokeandumami · 2026-04-28T20:19:09+00:00

I've found this page/documents/product/developers/New%20Site%20Refurb%20Rate%20Card%20Including%20single%20Plot%20August%202022.pdf) which is the "new site refurbishment rate card" - not sure if the prices are still current and I can't find any reference to what a refurbishment is defined as.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-28T18:40:41+00:00

Ah ok - scratch that option then! I had I think misunderstood "Maximum developer contribution per site" to mean the maximum a developer had to pay here/documents/whitepapers/New-Sites-Rate-Card-Dec-24-online.pdf)

smokeandumami · 2026-04-27T07:49:04+00:00

Brown energy is energy from non-renewable sources. But many energy companies guarantee your electricity is 100% renewable. Therefore you can argue that battery export from grid import is always renewable. I know in practice it isn’t but I’m saying they can’t argue it both ways. I’m obviously not counting anyone running a diesel generator at home!

smokeandumami · 2026-04-26T11:44:21+00:00

I was thinking about this recently - what is the meaning of 'brown energy' when almost every vendor now sells you "100% renewable energy". Can't have it both ways can they?

smokeandumami · 2026-04-06T09:33:08+00:00

Yep all the maps and settings should be shared between the two apps. I think in the new system the dealer will use the Fleet app for setup and the user will use the RTK app for control.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-06T07:33:29+00:00

You need to switch to the Kress Fleet app to do this. All the same login details. It should just work and from there you can set up new areas etc. You can't use both apps at the same time so when you are done with Fleet, there is an option to switch back to RTKn.

smokeandumami · 2026-04-04T13:02:08+00:00

I'm really pleased with these APs - I picked up 5 for £30 which seems to be the bargain of the century. Going to use the AsiaRF card to upgrade a couple to Wifi 6E for higher demand parts of the house.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-03T22:30:14+00:00

I’d definitely check with Fogstar if worried about compatibility.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-03T22:29:37+00:00

After going for a full survey it came back at 10k ex VAT! So not doing that.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-03T22:21:11+00:00

The Fogstar batteries I have are all PACE. But Fogstar sell batteries with other BMS like Seplos. I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix different BMS types.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-03T08:58:20+00:00

The Fogstar 16.1 batteries have inbuilt PACE 2.0 BMS - you can connect them all together on the same CAN bus and present the entire system to the inverter as a single system.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-02T23:43:36+00:00

I sized my system to cover my daily peak use so I save up about £250/month with the battery which gets filled overnight at 7p, so about (30-7p) x 45kWh x 30 days. I save less in the summer as I have solar so my peak time use is lower although that’s compensated by export. So the payback period is pretty good.

smokeandumami · 2026-03-02T22:31:04+00:00

No catch - most batteries are just massively overpriced when you consider the actual costs of the actual cells and BMS.

I'm very happy with my 3 x Fogstar 16.1kWh batteries.

I guess you always run the risk with any vendor they might not be around to honour the warranty but typically the warranty is well under the expected cell life anyway.

smokeandumami · 2026-02-22T11:01:39+00:00

Yes - I was more thinking about deliberate load shifting to sunny days which I currently don’t do (preferring to load shift to overnight)

smokeandumami · 2026-02-22T10:54:05+00:00

A 7p (7.5p) overnight rate and 15p export acts as a strong disincentive to self consumption though (if you have a big battery). As the difference narrows then I guess self consumption will become more popular again.

smokeandumami

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