Ducting for fibre cable

[Chipstick]

We're currently having a block paved path laid as part of a driveway replacement and it's dawned on me that the path runs along the full width of our property and at some point in the future we're likely to have a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection and it would be a shame for it to be disturbed. There's no other route that would avoid the path being crossed.

Pin kerbs/edgings go in tomorrow, so I'm too late to mail order some ducting (believe Openreach use a 54mm duct) and nowhere locally as far as I can tell sells that ducting or similar. Well, at least Travis Perkins, Bradfords etc certainly don't list fairly small bore ducting that's not a full reel.

Fortunately I'm a bit of a hoarder and I have a metre long length of 110mm waste pipe kicking about.

I was wondering if it's worth running this length of pipe buried underneath the pin kerbs whilst I have the chance, in the hope that Openreach (or whoever else) would run their ducts through my supplied 'tunnel'? I can't see why they wouldn't accept that route Vs lifting the paving.

Alternatively, has anyone else laid anything available from the major sheds such as B&Q/Wickes for this purpose with success?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Our CCTV cable is pulled through a length of hose pipe that we had handy.

Yes, it's a great idea to have a tube ready, as long as you can remember where both ends are

[Mr Pointy]

Stick it in. At 110mm it's big enough to pull a new duct through it.

[Harpoon]

I can't imagine an OR installer would sniff at an existing duct from your spare pipe, especially if you stick some nylon rope in it as a pull cord.

If you want something smaller, some electrical distributors will sell 50mm flexible conduit by the metre eg

https://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/product/univolt-med...

I've used similar stuff from eBay to run a pre-terminated armoured fibre cable from the house to the garage.

[119]

The last fibre install I say, they didn’t even duct it under the garden.

They just split the grass and pushed it in a far as they could get it.

But yes, any paths or hard standing stick any old tube under it. They won’t care as long as they can be in and out quickly.

[theboss]

Seems like an overall good idea, as you say, they can always conceal their own duct within it if it’s just a simple short span under the new paving. Imagine they’d be grateful if every customer did this!

[Quickmoose]

I've worked for quite a few telecoms companies, big and small.

Yes is the answer.

[worsy]

Harpoon said:

I can't imagine an OR installer would sniff at an existing duct from your spare pipe, especially if you stick some nylon rope in it as a pull cord.

If you want something smaller, some electrical distributors will sell 50mm flexible conduit by the metre eg

https://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/product/univolt-med...

I've used similar stuff from eBay to run a pre-terminated armoured fibre cable from the house to the garage.

Interestingly we have a buried duct with the telephone cable sat in it. When we had FTTP they just blew a new cable down it and didn't bother using the old cable as a drawstring. The guy even said it would be another team who removed the old cable if I wanted it done.

[OutInTheShed]

I've wanted to get various 'services' across various paths, including rainwater collection, outside lighting, automatic watering, outdoor mains socket...

Get thee to Screwfix!

[biggiles]

Yes! 110mm is a good size, you'll soon find a need for water, electricity, fibre, POE ethernet...

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Do you know the ducting external to your house ???Either take it close to a pole or a BT manhole ... If it finishes in non mans land not much use to anyone .

Or if you do it in co-operation with OPENREACH they may be be willing to break into the main ducting , as they did for me .

[JD]

Chipstick said:

We're currently having a block paved path laid as part of a driveway replacement and it's dawned on me that the path runs along the full width of our property and at some point in the future we're likely to have a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection and it would be a shame for it to be disturbed. There's no other route that would avoid the path being crossed.

Pin kerbs/edgings go in tomorrow, so I'm too late to mail order some ducting (believe Openreach use a 54mm duct) and nowhere locally as far as I can tell sells that ducting or similar. Well, at least Travis Perkins, Bradfords etc certainly don't list fairly small bore ducting that's not a full reel.

Fortunately I'm a bit of a hoarder and I have a metre long length of 110mm waste pipe kicking about.

I was wondering if it's worth running this length of pipe buried underneath the pin kerbs whilst I have the chance, in the hope that Openreach (or whoever else) would run their ducts through my supplied 'tunnel'? I can't see why they wouldn't accept that route Vs lifting the paving.

Alternatively, has anyone else laid anything available from the major sheds such as B&Q/Wickes for this purpose with success?

Don’t overthink it, my fibre line runs through some mega cheap small ducting from Screwfix: https://www.screwfix.com/p/deta-tte-flexible-condu...

You can just suck a thread through with your hoover if you want to provide something for your installer.

[Pheo]

Check if you have a TLC direct nearby. They sell this kind of thing by the meter.

Or use your waste pipe (although it’s huge!) or go get a length of 40mm waste pipe?

[Davie]

Late to the party but anything us better than nothing. Houses with standard ducting up to the wall ix generally 54mm however where a fibre needs dug in from the street / existing duct then 15mm bore can be used. Basically anything a fibre cable will fit through will be fine... just trg and get it reasonably in line with the route the cable would be taking up to the house.