Why is my activation date so far away?

[podge9]

Hi.

I've just moved into a new build.

My openreach box was setup when I moved in but there was a backend issue where the address was incorrect meaning I could not get broadband.

We've got a wifi dongle to tide us over but it only gets us a 4mb connection at best, with 3 children in a 3 storey house and 2 adults working from home, this has been far from ideal.

Yesterday, Openreach finally got their act together after a fun daily chase to get it sorted (a whole other story).

So, I've ordered Vodafone 500mb broadband and the router is coming tomorrow.

No engineer required but my activation date is Dec 27th, 16 days after the order!

Can someone explain to me why this gap is so long?

What actually physically needs to happen for my broadband to be activated and why can't it be done straight away?

Will I have to deal with the dreaded Openreach again?

Having this wifi dongle during our first Christmas in the house after what I've been through with Openreach is beyond aggravating.

Thanks

[Lucy_F]

Hi @podge9 Sorry to hear you've been facing trouble with your activation. Our Broadband Support Teams can be contacted on 03333040191 or Live Chat to answer any unresolved questions or concerns you have regarding your activation. 

[podge9]

Hi Lucy. I've tried that and they couldn't give me an answer

[juliet193]

Did you get a response to this in the end? Similar situation here - new build, openreach set up, same activation date - 27th December. The new router arrived yesterday, and I don’t understand why I can’t just set it up now. Customer service said it’s due to testing and troubleshooting, etc, but I don’t see why that would take so long. Terrible process, there must be a quicker way!

[podge9]

No, I've just been told that they will always give you the earliest possible activation date and it can't be brought forward.

Hope you don't have to deal with Openreach, they're the worst company I've ever had to deal with