BT Exchange 'at capacity' for broadband...

[BlueMagician]

Hi all,

I've been planning a broadband install for a friend.
We placed the order with Demon Internet, got the welcome pack and account details, and now the order status has been delayed.

Demon support tell me that it's because the exchange is 'at capacity'.
I know the news isn't as bad as a "you can't get broadband full-stop", but does anyone know what'll happen next?
How long will they have to wait?

I'm a bit worried cos as soon as they got the welcome pack, we ordered and setup £200 of router and WLAN cards, which of course are technically 'used' and not returnable.
If they now can't get broadband, they'll have a bunch of useless hardware sitting there doing nothing.

Arrgh. This is the last time I try to do someone a favour.

[TiG]

It means they probably need to install another link to the exchange. Means an engineer to go and do the work. Best way to find out is to push demon for a date from BT.

Can't see there is much else to do though.

TiG

[chris123]

Yea, pushing Demon for a date is a good idea, however make sure they don't start charging you for the ADSL service. Since they have sent you account details etc. it would be worth checking no money is being taken for your mates bank account.

[Lee H]

Try checking on www.samknows.com as sometimes there has been dates on there for exchange upgrades in the past.

[explicitlyrics]

There are a couple of ways an exchange can run out of capacity. The first one is that there is no longer enough bandwidth to support the users, hence they will need to install another link between the exchange and their main hubs. This normally has a delay of about a month from it being 'full' (in BT's opinion) and them installing this link.

The second thing is that there are no more ports in the exchange that can be connected to a phone line. In otherwords, there is nothing to plug the ADSL part of your phone line into at the exchange. This in turn means that BT is losing customers who actually want a service and hence normally has a much faster 'fix time'.

I would be surprised if it takes them more than a week or so to add more ports and then the ADSL service can be activated.

[badass]

I would be surprised if it takes them more than a week or so to add more ports and then the ADSL service can be activated.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH are you talking about BT in the UK as in British Telecom - as in the company I have the home addresses of all directors of so I can send some letters to demanding an explanation as to why on the last 4 major projects we have asked them to do for us they have totally messed them up, even though they have had 1 years notice for them?

P.S. not a dig at you. A dig at BT and their total incompetance.

[BlueMagician]

Well, sigh of relief, it turned out that the delay was minimal.. Demon hassled BT, and they came up with the goods. In all, the order was delayed by about 8 working days. A little more communication would've been nice, but I'm happy now..

Thanks for the reassurance guys,
S.