Flexible Demarcation an Industry Guide

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

Flexible Demarcation An Industry Guide

1st December 2011 – Issue 1.0

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 1 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide Table of Contents

1. Introduction 3 1.1 Summary 3 1.2 Products 4 1.3 Enquiries 4

2. Provision Activities 5 2.1 Flexible Demarcation Policy for New Provisions 5 2.1.1 Residential Property Overhead Fed – Detached / Semi 6 2.1.2 Residential Property Overhead Fed – Terraced 7 2.1.3 Existing Overhead Fed Property 8 2.1.4 Provision to Sub-let or Tenant 9 2.1.5 Provision to Individual Rateable Flats 10 2.1.6 Provision to Business Shop 11 2.1.7 Industrial / Commercial Unit – Single Rateable Value 11 2.1.8 Industrial / Commercial Unit – Multiple Rateable Value 12 2.1.9 Office in Office Block 13 2.1.10 Provision to Office Block with Remote Communications Room 15 2.1.11 Provision to Non Rateable Outbuilding 16

3. Repair / Assurance Policy 17

4. Charges 17

5. Glossary 18

6. Document History 19

7. Appendix 1 NTE Illustrations 20

BT maintains that all reasonable care and skill has been used in the compilation of this publication. However, BT shall not be under any liability for loss or damage (including consequential loss) whatsoever or howsoever arising as a result of the use of this publication by the reader, his servants, agents or any third party.

The contents of this publication shall not be reproduced without the written consent of Openreach.

The document is produced for information purposes only. Communications Providers should refer to the applicable Openreach terms and conditions and the Openreach Price List. Their contents take precedence over any information held herein.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 2 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

BT reserves the right to amend the contents at any time.

1. Introduction

1.1 Summary

The demarcation point or Network Termination Point (NTP) as it is referred to in contracts is the end of the Openreach network. It is the point at which Openreach can test to see whether the line is working and to which the end users can connect their wiring and equipment. The Network Termination Point will comprise one of the following:

(i) an external Network Termination Equipment (NTE); or (ii) a single or multi-line internal NTE (there are different types but the NTE5a is the standard used in most homes and businesses and the most commonly referred to); or (iii) a single or multi-line termination box (Distribution Point), sometimes this is also referred to as a Network Test and Termination Point (NTTP); or (iv) a frame; or (v) a temporary capacitor (occasionally used on new build sites as a temporary measure until service is required).

The NTP will be located at the end user’s premises as set out below.

a) At the point at which the network cable arrives on the exterior of the premises but no higher than 1.5m above ground level; or

b) An agreed point up to a maximum of one hour’s work for WLR3 Basic, MPF and SLU-MPF or two hours’ work for WLR3 Premium from the point the line has been connected to the premises and the engineer commences work within the end user’s premises after having previously agreed the location of the NTP with the end user.

Flexible Demarcation will be rolled out for WLR3, MPF and SLU-MPF as set out in Section 1.2 of this document.

These rules apply to the products determined in Section 1.2.

Where further wiring is required to meet the end user’s preferred NTP location exceeding the times specified above, this can be ordered from Openreach on a Time Related Charges (TRC) basis using preauthorised TRC Banding for time and stores.

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1.2 Products Product Flexible Demarcation Deployment Date WLR3 PSTN Yes 1/12/2011 MPF (including MMPF) Yes 1/12/2011 SLU-MPF Yes 1/12/2011 NGA – FTTC Yes – FTTC demarcation rules apply Already effective. ** NGA - FTTP Yes – FTTP demarcation rules apply Already effective. ++ WLR3 ISDN2 No change to existing rules Already effective. BTR Classic ISDN2 No change to existing rules Already effective. WLR3 ISDN30 No change to existing rules Already effective. BTR Classic ISDN30 No change to existing rules Already effective. Ethernet Services No change to existing rules Already effective.

** FTTC demarcation rules are as follows - The NTE5 is the Network Termination Point of the Openreach access network within the end user’s premises, although Openreach also maintains the active NTE. The active NTE is the FTTC VDSL modem and will be located close to a power source and the desired service location. The active NTE can be located separately from the NTE5 and can be connected via Data Extension Kit (DEK) cabling up to a length of 30m. Any Openreach-installed data extension wiring comes with a one-year warranty and becomes the end user’s property.

++ FTTP demarcation rules are as follows - On FTTP based services, the NTP is the point at which the Optical Network Termination (ONT) is sited within the end user’s premises. This can be up to 30m from the location of the Customer Splice Point (CSP) and can be placed anywhere within the building within this reach limit. The ONT as an ‘active’ network component must also be within reach of a Mains Power Supply. The CSP is typically fixed to the outside wall (front, side or rear), but in some Multiple Dwelling Units (MDU) or Multiple Occupancy Units (MOU) these can also be sited within the building.

Full rules on demarcation for FTTC/P can be found within the appropriate product guide using the links below:- FTTP http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/products/super- fastfibreaccess/fibretothepremises/fttp.do FTTC http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/products/super- fastfibreaccess/fibretothecabinet/fttc.do

1.3 Enquiries Enquiries related to this document should be directed to your Sales and Relationship Manager in the first instance.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 4 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

2. Provision Activities 2.1 Demarcation Policy for New Provisions Flexible Demarcation applies to the provision of new lines. NO retrospective changes will be made to the NTP of existing lines, other than where judged necessary for engineering reasons when an engineer is called out to repair, convert or relocate a line.

For the provision of a new line, Flexible Demarcation will apply as detailed in scenarios 2.1.1 through to 2.1.11.

Where the wiring required to meet the end user’s preferred NTP location exceeds the times specified per product, this can be ordered from Openreach on a Time Related Charges (TRC) basis using pre-authorised TRC Banding for time and stores.

Cabling for extension wiring beyond the NTP can also be provided by the use of third party providers, DIY kits or, if pre authorised, by the Openreach engineer. However, the end user remains responsible for all extension wiring beyond the NTP. It is recommended that to reduce faults and to improve Broadband performance, new technologies such as DECT, Wireless Hubs and TETRA are used to provide equipment to remote locations within the end user’s premises.

It should be noted that all properties vary. The diagrams included in the following pages are intended to cover as many of the most common scenarios as possible, however it is not possible to cover every eventuality in this document.

In sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.6 the diagrams show the Network Termination Point as an NTE5a which is illustrated in Appendix 1. An illustration of an NTE5b which is referenced in sections 2.1.7 onwards is also provided in Appendix 1.

IN THE FOLLOWING DIAGRAMS RED INDICATES OPENREACH (formerly monopoly) CABLING AND GREEN INDICATES EXTENSION OR CUSTOMER OWNED (formerly liberalised) WIRING. WE SUGGEST THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE VIEWED IN COLOUR.

ENREA

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 5 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.1 Residential Property Overhead Fed – Detached / Semi The diagrams below give an indication of 4 potential entry points. The Openreach engineer will choose the best location to meet the end user’s requirement whilst also complying with health and safety working practices. Outside the property

X X

X Potential dropwire entry points

Assessment of potential entry points will vary from building to building For example in the above illustration it is assumed that the window above the porch cannot be safely accessed using a ladder.

Inside the property

Entry point Dropwire Pole Network Termination Equipment (NTE5a) Block Terminal where required

Electrical Wiring to be provided between the point of entry and the Socket demarcation point (NTE5a), within Flexible Demarcation time.

Location of the Network Termination Point (shown here as an NTE5a) will be discussed with the end user and where possible will be provided close to an electrical socket if agreed with the end user.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 6 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

2.1.2 Residential Property Overhead Fed – Terraced As before the location of the dropwire attachment and NTP will be discussed with the end user. Outside the property

X X X

Potential dropwire entry points X

Inside the property

Entry point Dropwire Pole Network Termination Equipment (NTE5a) Block Terminal where required

Electrical Wiring to be provided between the point of entry and the Socket demarcation point (NTE5a), within Flexible Demarcation time.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 7 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.3 Existing Overhead Fed Property In this scenario the Openreach engineer will use the existing dropwire and external cabling. Existing internal cabling will be re-used; if however cabling has been removed or damaged this will be re-provided. Outside the property.

X Existing dropwire entry point

Inside the property

Entry point Dropwire Pole Network Termination Equipment (NTE5a) Block Terminal where required

Electrical Wiring to be provided between the point of entry and the Socket demarcation point (NTE5a), within Flexible Demarcation time.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 8 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.4 Provision to Sub-let or Tenant In the scenario of a sub-let or tenant the preferred method is to feed the wire directly from the Distribution Point (DP) to meet the sub-let’s or tenant’s requirement where reasonably practicable. The use of a common area will only apply when the line cannot be fed directly. Time Related Charges (TRCs) will be required to provide service to the end user’s designated location if it cannot be reached within Flexible Demarcation time limits as set out in Section 1.1. It should be noted that the Flexible Demarcation time allocation includes all engineering work from the point of entry into the rateable property, which is not necessarily the point of entry into the sub-let unit (except where possible through feeding direct externally).

Th S e pre ub-l is ferre et 1 to fe d me 2 ed th thod DP e wir for a wher e dire sub-l e rea ctly f et sona rom t bly po he ssibl e. 1 S ub-let 2 Fed i ndirectly

N.B. in the illustration above it is assumed that it is not possible to access Sub-let 2 directly by a ladder because of the roofing. Wiring to be provided between the point of Ask the end users where they want the entry and the Flexible Demarcation point NTE5a. Try to get as close to a free (NTE), within Flexible Demarcation time. electrical socket as possible. All properties to be fed from the DP to entry and then to Dropwire the requested NTP. NTE5a

BT where Required Flat2 Flat1 Electrical Socket

Flat3 Flat4

Entry point starts here

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 9 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.5 Provision to Individual Rateable Flats – Example 1

F lat 1 Pro – fed vide a direct n NTE each 5a wit rateab hin 2 le flat 1 Flat 2 – Fed indirectly as 1 not possible to feed direct.

Junction box fitted in Flat 2. After running Openreach wiring through internal common areas as required NTE5a located at a demarcation point in Flat 2.

N.B. In the illustration above it is assumed that it is not possible to access Flat 2 directly by a ladder because of the roofing.

Provision to Individual Rateable Flat – Example 2

Wiring to be provided between the point of entry Ask the end users where they want the NTE5a. and the Demarcation point (NTE), within Flexible Demarcation time. Try to get as close to a free electrical socket as possible. All properties to be fed from the DP to the entry and then to the Entry point requested NTP.

NTE5a Dropwire

BT where Required Flat2 Flat1 Electrical Socket

Flat3 Flat4

Entry point starts here

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 10 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.6 Provision to Business Shop In the picture below the same rules apply where the demarcation point is provided at an agreed Flexible Demarcation point, beyond which extension cabling will apply on a TRC basis. If customer owned wiring exists this can be used to provide extension services where permission has been granted. Possible existing or new entry point. Distribution Point

The NTE5a should be placed at an agreed Flexible Demarcation point

Network Termination Equipment If extension (NTE5a) wiring is Customer required beyond owned Openreach wiring to the Network Wiring. be provided between Termination the point of entry and the Network Point, TRCs will Terminations Point (NTE5a), within apply Flexible Demarcation time allocations. Block Terminal Entry point where required

2.1.7 Industrial / Commercial Unit – Single Rateable Value In the example below, a single rateable premises is sub divided into smaller units (but these are not separately rateable). The unit on the bottom right is fed directly within the Flexible Demarcation time limits and provided with an NTE5a.

The other units have the landlord’s permission to use customer owned wiring to provide the extensions from the reception / common area to the individual units. In their case an NTE5b (a socket with a screwable blank face plate - see Appendix 1 for further details) would be sited in the reception / common area. This would be the Openreach Network Termination Point.

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Customer Owned Wiring can be used to supply extension service if the owner gives the end user permission.

Reception / UG Feed to common area reception area. Probably location of switchboard and customer owned Directly fed unit wiring aggregation with NTE5a point.

In the example above it would be possible to provide an Openreach line directly to one of the units at the top of the diagram from the underground feed into the building. This could be done by wiring via the common areas and corridor with relevant permissions obtained. If however, the work was estimated to take more than the allocated Flexible Demarcation times for the relevant line product, it would require pre-authorised TRC banding from the CP and the engineer would charge for the additional time.

2.1.8 Industrial / Commercial Unit – Multiple Rateable Value Where multiple separately rated business units are located together in a single building, Flexible Demarcation would be applied as per the following internal view diagram.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 12 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

Where the units are individually rateable, Openreach will provide service to them. The Flexible Demarcation time allocations DO NOT start until the point of entry to the individual unit.

Common area / corridor

Reception

Where it is not possible to have a direct feed into the individual unit or run external Openreach wiring, the engineer will run the wiring Where possible externally run through the common parts e.g. Openreach wiring will be UG feed to reception and corridor provided provided for ease of access for Reception the end user has obtained the maintenance. Similarly where area. relevant permissions. there is existing Openreach wiring with spare capacity this will be the preferred means of provision.

Once again if Customer Owned Wiring exists within the building and the end user has the relevant permissions and agrees it is possible to terminate the service in the Reception area and connect to an extension circuit to the end user’s unit.

2.1.9 Office in Office Block In a number of cases Openreach wiring will exist in established premises, however some new office blocks may only have Customer Owned Wiring (normally switchboard wiring). This wiring cannot be used for Openreach service and can only be used to provide extension service if the end user has the permission of the wiring owner.

If the building is occupied by one company the Communications Manager for the company is likely to be the person who will provide permission for the end user to connect to and use the Customer Owned Wiring.

In a service managed building (likely to be multiple businesses in one building) it is the end user’s responsibility to gain permission for use of the Customer Owned Wiring for extension services.

Below are two examples, the first with Openreach wiring where the NTE can be provided to an agreed demarcation point on the end user’s floor within Flexible Demarcation time limits. This will be the Network Termination Point.

The second showing a full Customer Owned Wiring of the building where the NTE will be installed in the communications room which will be the Network Termination Point and

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 13 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide extensions beyond that point can be provided using the existing Customer Owned Wiring to the desired location.

Openreach Wiring Exists

Openreach wiring exists and can be used as part of service provision.

UG feed to communications room.

No Openreach Wiring Exists

UG feed to communica tions room.

An NTE5b, multiple NTE or NTTP could be placed in the communications room. This will be the Network Termination Point.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 14 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.10 Provision to Office Block with Remote Communications Room In the following scenario two communications rooms exist and there is third party cabling linking them. The end user has permission from the landlord to use the existing cabling however, new extension wiring is required from the top floor communications room to the end user’s specific location.

The ground floor is served by an underground Openreach feed, this terminates on an Openreach NTTP which forms the Network Termination Point. The NTTP is connected to the third party cabling to the remote communications room on the top floor.

Openreach can, if pre-authorised by the CP using TRC banding, provide customer owned wiring. In this case this can be provided from the top floor communications room to where the end user requires service. This wiring will be guaranteed for 12 months but will revert to the end user’s responsibility and the Openreach Network Termination Point remains the NTTP in the ground floor communications rooms as shown in the diagram.

Remote Comms Room In this example the underground Openreach feed to a ground floor Comms room terminates on an NTTP which then links to customer owned wiring up to the customer’s remote Comms room and equipment CP Comms

equipment

NTTP

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 15 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide 2.1.11 Provision to a Non-Rateable Outbuilding In this scenario there are a number of reasons why the outbuilding cannot be served directly e.g. there is no clear line of sight from the pole and the dropwire would result in being too low across the road, etc. In these situations the NTE would be located within the main building and be the Network Termination Point, an extension service would be required to serve the outbuilding.

Where it is possible to serve directly, then the NTE will be located within the outbuilding and this would be the Network Termination Point. If it cannot be served directly and access to the premises cannot be gained to install the NTE within the main building, or the end user does not want the NTE in the main building, then a planning solution may be required, this could result in Excess Construction Charges (ECCs) being applied.

Main premises (building) on rateable site.

Building requiring service.

NTE5b can be used internally and end user has free access. NTE 5a could be used if the end user is also Dropwire bracket on main the occupier / owner of the main building and requests building to facilitate route the NTE to have a socket.

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 16 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide In the scenario below, if the outbuilding can be reached directly by the dropwire, the NTE will be installed as per section 2.1.1. This scenario will not apply to Non Served Premises as for the purposes of these examples it is assumed the main and outbuilding form a single rateable premises.

Main premises (building) If building can be on rateable site. reached directly by OH then do so.

Building requiring service.

NTE to be provided at an agreed Flexible Demarcation point Dropwire bracket on main building to facilitate route

3. Repair / Assurance policy As detailed in earlier sections, the implementation of Flexible Demarcation applies to the provision of new lines. Where lines already exist and are working, NO retrospective changes will be made to existing lines. In fault situations Openreach will repair the Openreach cabling if it is found to be faulty. If it is necessary to relocate the NTP for some engineering reason the engineer will reconnect any customer owned wiring as required.

If an Openreach engineer repairs or replaces customer owned wiring, the work will be guaranteed for 12 months.

4. Charges For time taken to reach an agreed Network Termination Point beyond the Flexible Demarcation time allocations per product, and for any work beyond the NTP either providing new customer owned wiring or amending or repairing existing configurations, Time Related Charges will be raised. Pre-authorisation of TRCs will be required by the CP. Details on TRC Banding can be found on the Openreach website under Time Related Charges on the Service Products product page http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/products/serviceproducts/timerelatedcharges/ti merelatedcharges.do

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CPs should consider how initial conversations with end users can be used to help determine the appropriate pre-authorised banding level to instruct Openreach.

5. Glossary Customer Owned Wiring is end user’s owned cabling i.e. not part of the Openreach network and is the responsibility of the end user.

CP Communications Provider

Distribution Point is an internal or external aggregation point allowing single lines to be accessed from within a multi core cable.

Dropwire is the overhead cable provided by Openreach from the pole to the premises. Conversion to internal cable will normally be carried out using a junction box.

Extension related to any telephone socket and wiring that is provided beyond the NTP. These sockets can be installed by Openreach engineers under TRC charges. Alternatively they can be installed by the end user or another party. In all cases the end user retains ownership of the extension wiring and is responsible for any faults that may occur.

Flexible Demarcation is the policy by which Openreach shall locate the Network Termination Point on a new line provisions. Specifically the Network Termination Point is to be located at an agreed point up to a maximum of one hour’s work for WLR3 Basic, MPF and SLU-MPF or two hours’ work for WLR3 Premium from the point where the line has been connected to the premises and the engineer commences work within the end user’s premises after having previously agreed the location of the NTP with the end user.

Additional time can be taken to provide the NTP to the end user’s preferred location if the CP has given pre-authorisation using TRC banding. This gives CPs and end users significant flexibility to choose the location of the Network Termination Point.

Albeit engineering, health and safety limitations will continue to apply as they do today. E.g. Openreach engineers will not site the Network Termination Point somewhere clearly unsafe, inaccessible etc, such as above a hob cooker. Network Termination Point (NTP) is the point at which Openreach can test to see whether the line is working and to which the end users can connect their wiring and equipment. It signifies the end or demarcation of the Openreach network. The Network Termination Point will comprise one of the following:

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 18 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

Openreach Wiring is Openreach owned cabling i.e. part of the Openreach Network

OH Overhead especially in reference to an overhead cable leading into a property

Premises means locations, sites, buildings or dwellings that are individually identifiable and separately registered for council tax or business rates payable to local councils in the United Kingdom. Premises exclude Non-Served Premises (unless expressly agreed by BT in writing).

UG Underground especially in reference to an underground cable feed into a property.

6 Document History

Version Date Author Notes Issue 1.0 1-12-11 Linda Reid Publication date

Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide – Issue 1.0, 1/12/11 © British Telecommunications plc 19 Flexible Demarcation – An Industry Guide

Appendix 1

NTE5A

 Comprises face plate and back plate Back plate  Openreach demarcation point (back plate Openreach owned)

 601A 601A socket on face plate allows Socket customer to connect equipment via 431A Face plug plate NTE5A (front)  IDC terminal on face plate allows customers to install their own extension wiring

 Removable face plate allows customer to prove if fault lies on Openreach network or own wiring Face plate (rear)

 Only suitable for internal use

NTE5B

 Comprises face plate and back plate

 Openreach demarcation point (back plate Openreach owned)

Used in locations where the customer doesn’t want a socket (601A) e.g. pub games machines and phone boxes NTE5B (front)  IDC terminal on face plate allows customer to install their own extension wiring or wire directly into equipment

 Only suitable for internal use

 Removable face plate allows customer to prove if fault lies on Openreach network or own wiring