Ironic too that every single cabinet on the exchange is down for upgrade, which is something of an achievement, all by itself.
The BDUK phase 1 cabinets have already been upgraded, and the sole cabinet being upgraded by phase 2 is in the planning phase. That leaves 3 cabinets which aren't so advanced - yet all 3 were originally in the commercial upgrade from 2013.
As the fibre spine obviously goes further up the valley, there must be something else holding this particular cabinet up. A power issue is most likely, a lack of street space is next, and a lack of underground space for the ducts and cables is next. Using the BT checker shows a street-side DSLAM in postcode OL14 8JF (lucky check), suggesting that the cab has already been placed.
Have you asked the Superfast West Yorkshire for any information?
1. I recently saw a page on the BT Wholesale site that suggested my postcode is in a split area...does anyone have any further information about this? Did BDUK get to pick which postcodes were connected to their cabinets...who wrote the rule book on postcode allocation in the first place, can I request this under freedom of information?
Postcodes are an invention by the post office to aid their delivery automation, and have nothing whatsoever to do with telephony cables in the street - or the choices made over the past 50+ years about how they should be grouped and bundled together. Postcodes can be changed, as the post office alters delivery methods, but those cables in the street don't change.
However, postcodes have a couple of good features: every property has one, and they are easy to use to create maps.
Thus BDUK made use of these features in helping to decide which areas were valid for an upgrade, and helping to show plans. But the projects know that postcode boundaries don't align to telecoms boundaries. The "intervention areas" defined in phase 1 could lack flexibility. Phase 2 rules allow a bit more flexibility.
However, all that is moot. Your cabinet is down to be done commercially, so BDUK doesn't matter.
2.Is there about to be a deregulation of the rural BDUK cabinets? Would that result in my being eligible to connect to a nearby BDUK cabinet?
Deregulation in what way?
I don't know of anything, and can't imagine much that would help you change cabinet.
Ofcom appear to be making it easier for altnets to use BT's existing ducts and poles to provide an alternative service. But I'm not sure this will help you - as you will need a cable that traverses the current ducts in a way that isn't intended by BT. I don't know if BT could actually stop an altnet from running cables this way, but I suspect it would cost more to do.
3.Is it now hypothetically possible for a group of neighbours to set up a rudimentary ISP and lease Bt's infrastructure in my area (LCTOD)?
Yes. I imagine "in my area" means "on cab 4"; if so, you might need to consider a "sub-loop unbundling" option, where you can install your own FTTC cabinet. That solves your access network problem. You'd just need to do everything else an ISP does to get service out to the internet ... starting with a fibre connection back from your new cabinet.
Rutland Telecom did this years ago in Rutland, and I believe Callflow are doing this as part of a few BDUK projects.
4.How can I find out how many free slots my old-style cabinet has...I've downloaded the OFCOM postcode data, is this an accurate tool? What would happen if my neighbours and I bought out all the free slots in our old-style cabinet?
I don't think the Ofcom data will tell you anything about the remaining capacity back to the exchange.
Even if you did buy up all the remaining capacity, what do you hope for next? To order one more line that comes from the other cabinet? I suspect BT would be at liberty to refuse, as the USO that forces BT to supply lines only works for the first line, to a residential property. And if the accepted, it might be expensive.
5.Is the data on who owns what infrastructure available in a database such as RIPE, or does BT hold enough to stop me building a detailed virtual map of my cabinet, the exchange and what runs between it?
There is no public database; BT own that themselves.
Ofcom requires BT to provide a "PIA" product that allows altnets to make use of their poles and ducts for providing service - but only a limited set of services. One aspect of providing access is that an altnet can ask for information about what is available ... but BT charges to put that information together, and to survey the physical status. If poles or ducts are full, then I'm not sure there is any requirement on BT to install spare capacity.
6. I've noticed BT publishes costings and data on how to complete your own cost benefit type analysis for your cabinet (obviously not aimed at the likes of me).
Have they? BT have fought really hard to keep all this kind of thing under NDA, so the competition can't figure such stuff out.
I would assume that a very public crowdfunding project used to raise these funds would probably be the most effective way of bringing that cabinet date forward? Anyone had luck getting their date moved forwards? Any luck with MP's, regional directors, press etc? Anyone used any charities or other government funds/grants to get funding for a cabinet upgrade...for example. Whats to stop essential infrastructure development, in a flooded area, coming out of a flood grant which covers essential infrastructure? Would it be faster to have a completely new cabinet installed as a 'new development'?
Obviously there are ways for communities to fund an upgrade to their cabinet:
http://www.communityfibre.bt.com/I'm not sure I've seen anyone try to use this process to pay BT to pay more attention to something they were going to do anyway.
There have certainly been campaigns to get cabinets included - and they tend to do better by being a single organised effort, with local councillors and councils involved, and perhaps a prod by an MP too.
I don't see anything working on the "essential infrastructure" route. Right now, the "essentials" stop at a voice connection and dial-up access. The government want to make internet access an "essential" too, covered by a USO, but that's probably at least 2 years away.
Likewise the "new development" route. That only works when you, as the developer, own all the land, and can freely dig in new ducts and chambers to your heart's content.
Which bits of red tape will cause me the most delays and headaches?
The fact that BT have decided to cover this area commercially is the biggest headache. It means they can decide when they will upgrade, and there is little you can do. We have to assume that BT have told BDUK this ... and that stops any state aid from happening - whoever the recipient is.
