What are the thoughts of smaller OR CPs represented here regarding the
withdrawal of Openreach FTTC CPEs as an option?
To me it seems like a backward step, and while the big volume boys may
well want to provide their own quad play CPEs (and avoid having two
boxes etc), for smaller operators, the Openreach provided CPE had a lot
of benefits - it was a circuit provided end-to-end by Openreach which
included the CPE equipment as part of the support.
The removal of the option to receive the CPE means we go back to the
line-only 'please check your equipment' and SFI visits days (arguing
whose fault it is). It also means for each site install the CP needs to
send out an engineer to site with a CPE (smaller CPs may not always have
local engineering), or alternatively use costly BT project managed
services for 'while we're here' installation, meaning more cash goes to
Openreach by default.
It feels somewhat as if this is a decision which has been made with
larger operators in mind. It would seem to make more sense if the
supported CPE was an order option rather than withdrawing it entirely.
If this is something people are concerned about, it's worth raising your
concerns with your Openreach CRM, the OTA (http://www.offta.org.uk/) and
the FCS (http://www.fcs.org.uk/ - the FCS attend Openreach forums on
behalf of small CPs). It was indicated to us that sufficient voices may
change the stance.
Of course, it may just be us that doesn't like it :)
Cheers,
Robin.
