NGA009/12 Notification GEA-FTTC Microfilter Technical Trial

08/05/2012    For Information

NGA CPs

We are pleased to announce the details of a technical trial which will test the use of micro-filters within the GEA-FTTC provisioning process

Microfilters are believed to be one of several key enablers to move the GEA-FTTC product to being  a self-install product, removing the need for an engineer visit to the end user’s premises.

The use of microfilters, however, may result in reduced speeds when compared to an engineer-based installation, depending on a number of factors. This risk necessitates a technical trial prior to a larger scale customer pilot activity. We’re therefore running this technical trial to understand the actual and perceived service performance achieved using microfilters.

We have already engaged directly with Communication Providers (CPs) to begin trial planning and this announcement formalises the specific trial terms and conditions which CPs can find in the Contracts section of the Openreach portal.

To participate in the microfilter technical trial, CPs must be established on the standard GEA-FTTC product.  A trial administration fee will be chargeable.  Line connection will be free for trial lines and monthly rental fees will be payable at the prevailing rate.  Please refer to section 7.5.4 of the Openreach price list for more detail of the trial fee.

We expect at least three CPs to participate in the trial and use their employees to make up the technical triallists.  At least 300 people are expected to participate.  This volume and market variety should provide us insight into the full range of end users and premises types that are likely to benefit from a self-installation GEA-FTTC product offering.  The actual trial start date will rely on participating CPs being ready to place their trial orders, but we hope that trial orders will begin to be placed in early June 2012.  The trial is expected to run for three months, by may be extended.

What CPs need to do next:

• Review and sign the Trial Ts & Cs if you intend to participate
• Match your prospective trialist list to the exchanges that are part of the trial and get your matched list of prospective triallists to Openreach by 30^th May 2012
• Get involved in the regular calls run by the trial project team to get up to speed with the latest information about the trial – contact your Sales and Relationship Manager for details.

If you have any further questions that are not answered by the trial scope document, please contact your Sales and Relationship Manager in the first instance; they can put you in touch with someone from the project team.

Issued by KJS

The contents of this briefing are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Please discuss any queries or issues in relation to this briefing with your Sales & Relationship Manager or Service contact, who will be pleased to assist.

Our Customer News Centre is now available at www.news-openreach.co.uk which will provide you with a central point to check out the latest news and briefings information from Openreach.