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[Bowdon]

COVID-19 – Openreach Limit UK Broadband ISP and Phone Work
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/03/covid-19-openreach-stop-uk-broadband-isp-and-phone-work.html

Openreach revises work plan after travel curbs announced on 23rd March
https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/8700-openreach-revises-work-plan-after-travel-curbs-announced-on-23rd-march

I've just been reading these articles.

I can see the health implications. But isn't broadband and the phone system part of the national infrastructure?

What are peoples opinions of it?

[gt94sss2]

It makes sense that Openreach want to concentrate on repairing existing connections and protecting their staff/vulnerable customers rather than try and operate a business as usual approach (installing new lines etc)

[burakkucat]

. . . isn't broadband and the phone system part of the national infrastructure?

No, not when it is owned by shareholders and not the Government. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

It makes sense to not be visiting customer premises, I doubt they have the protective equipment to deal with both keeping their engineers and customers safe from cross infection.

It does beg the question how they are going to actually deal with vulnerable customers though.  I know I wouldn't want them in the house right now, but fortunately I'm prepared with two FTTC lines and two different mobile networks available, should anything happen.  Not everyone will be.

[Chrysalis]

external faults same as normal, internal i guess not fixed? most faults are external but diagnosis carried out in property , they could move to testing at junction box instead

[jelv]

I could plug a phone extension lead in to the test socket and hang it out of a window!

[4candles]

 

[Weaver]

Alex’s point is a good one. Maybe they could ask home users to leave the room so the engineer is not exposed to a human and vice versa. But then there is still the problem of contaminated surfaces. BT needs to give engineers gloves and antiseptic wipes at a minimum, more if they can.

They need a govt minister of supply to start new manufacturing of protective equipment, masks, gloves and the whole-body suits even. There should be massive availability to key workers and the NHS most importantly of course.

[Alex Atkin UK]

I've noticed a complete lack of Openreach jobs on one.network lately, but still Virgin "new connections" seem to be going ahead, unless they end up missing the deadlines that presumably could have set months ago.