topic Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach? in Broadband

Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

Peter338 — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:39:15 GMT

I currently have BT broadband via an Openreach telegraph pole connection, but there are also Cityfibre terminals in the street. When I tried to move to Vodafone, which uses both networks, they said they cannot choose the network if there is a Cityfibre street connection present (a few other suppliers said the same). The problem is that a previous survey determined cables cannot be run from the street to my flat, so I opted for BT.

So, my question is, is Sky the same, or are they able to select an existing connection rather than going through the same process of surveying, only to say it can't be done?

I hope that makes sense?

Much thanks in advance!

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

Chrisee — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:00:30 GMT

@Peter338 Sky will use City Fibre where both networks are available as I suspect most ISPs will as they are cheaper than Openreach. However you mention you are in a flat so if your current supply uses infrastructure in the block there maybe no choice.

Onexway you can tell is if Sky checker offers their Gigabit+ spedds of 2.5Gb/s or 5Gb/s thst indicates City Fibrecwill be used.Another indicator is the same upload as download speed being offered.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

JimM1 — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:00:56 GMT

@Peter338 There is NO choice you can make, do an online upgrade, once the package is selected then if same up/down speed it's CF CityFibre you are getting. The link below may also show you!

https://www.sky.com/broadband/full-fibre-broadband

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

Peter338 — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:24:36 GMT

Thanks both! Yes, it's offering 5Gb so I guess I'm stuck with BT? The block itself has individual connections, not a group supply; it's just that the flats are above a parade of shops with a concrete canopy running along the block (a common 1960s shopping precinct design), and Cityfibre contractors will not run cables along or around it - the trouble has been that the ISPs only find this out after the survey, so simply tell me they can't supply. I was hoping Sky might have a choice.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:07:37 GMT

Sky will only use cityfibre.

I had a cityfibre engineer advise to upgrade they need to dig up my drive to upgrade broadband despite the openreach option at the rear of my property.

I am not having my driveway dug up when there is an alternative option.

I have complained numerous times to sky that I am happy to upgrade as long as my driveway is not dug up.

Unfortunately they advise there is nothing more they can do as they cannot book openreach even though they have a service in the area. I am currently looking at alternative suppliers for broadband after being a sky customer for over 20 years.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

caesarome — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:11:02 GMT

@carolw025 wrote:

Sky will only use cityfibre.

They will default to Cityfibre where it is available but otherwise they will use Openreach.

Cityfibre alternative options

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:20:04 GMT

I have had numerous conversations with sky and already had a cityfibre engineer visit re upgrading broadband.

I refused for drive to be dug up as openreach can be installed from the rear of my property.

It has come to the point where sky have ended my contacts to allow me to upgrade using another supplier who will use open reach and not cityfibre.

Today I had a call (after numerous messages) advising the copper cabling currently used will be switched off and now cityfibre are visiting customers to look at alternative options. I actually don't believe this is correct.

I have booked the engineer visit and made it clear it is a waste of mine and theirs time if they are coming to tell me they want to dig up my drive. The call handler advised no its definitely to look at alternative options before the copper broadband will be turned off.

I have since had text messages advising the engineer is coming to connect my line and a further message advising my conversation kit 3 is on its way. These making me feel this is definitely not a visit to look at alternative options to upgrade.

Anyone else experience this.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:21:47 GMT

They refuse to use openreach as cityfibre is available in my area. Both are available but they will only use cityfibre. The system also doesn't let them override it.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

caesarome — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:35:55 GMT

@carolw025 wrote:

They refuse to use openreach as cityfibre is available in my area. Both are available but they will only use cityfibre

Which is what I said above, why do you have an issue with them using City Fibre ?

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

TimmyBGood — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:20 GMT

@caesarome

The main issue would be where there's already an Openreach cable and ONT in place at the address which Sky won't use, particularly as @carolw025 indicates where CityFibre provision involves significant additional disruption.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:49:45 GMT

No, sky are unable/ refuse to book openreach for upgrade despite them being in the area. They will only use cityfibre.

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

TimmyBGood — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:01:57 GMT

@carolw025

The workaround would be to place an order for FTTP from a national ISP which doesn't have a CityFibre carriage deal: that would trigger the Openreach installation option.

If you are currently within a minimum contract term with Sky you may need to negotiate over early exit fees, or choose an new ISP which contributes towards these.

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:21:17 GMT

Im out of all contacts with no early exit fees as they advise because they cannot book openreach which is in my area they cannot provide me the service so have waived all early exit fees. I have this in writing.

Re: Can I specify Cityfibre or Openreach?

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:06 GMT

Because cityfibre advise the only way they can upgrade is by digging up my driveway. I understand they say they will put everything back but I spent alot of money getting a driveway put into my property in the first place and I am not prepared to have it dug up just for Internet particularly when there is an alternative method.

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

Me134 — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:16 GMT

@carolw025 wrote:
I have had numerous conversations with sky and already had a cityfibre engineer visit re upgrading broadband.
I refused for drive to be dug up as openreach can be installed from the rear of my property.
It has come to the point where sky have ended my contacts to allow me to upgrade using another supplier who will use open reach and not cityfibre.

Today I had a call (after numerous messages) advising the copper cabling currently used will be switched off and now cityfibre are visiting customers to look at alternative options. I actually don't believe this is correct.
I have booked the engineer visit and made it clear it is a waste of mine and theirs time if they are coming to tell me they want to dig up my drive. The call handler advised no its definitely to look at alternative options before the copper broadband will be turned off.
I have since had text messages advising the engineer is coming to connect my line and a further message advising my conversation kit 3 is on its way. These making me feel this is definitely not a visit to look at alternative options to upgrade.
Anyone else experience this.

How do you mean "It has come to the point where sky have ended my cont(r)acts to allow me to upgrade using another supplier who will use open reach and not cityfibre". Have Sky set your broadband to cancel down, because you actually need to use the OTS to automate a switch between OR ISPs to save having a period without any broadband.

Why agree to an engineer visit if you're changing supplier anyway?

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

carolw025 — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:36:17 GMT

I was in contacts and would have early exit fees. They have ended the minimum term time so its like pay monthly and I can leave anytime now.

I have not chosen another network as yet, leaning to BT or EE but just looking at all offers available.

I agreed to an engineer visit as the call handler who called me advised cityfibre are now looking at alternative methods of installation. Sky couldn't tell me exactly what that meant but said it would be alternatives to digging up my driveway. I made it clear as a sky customers for over 20 years with all my services, TV broadband, phone and mobile all with sky I didn't want to change suppliers so if they can come up with an alternative before I move then that is acceptable and I would stay. They were giving me alternatives meaning to upgrade I have no choice but to change suppliers. I am very sceptical about this appointment and think they will push the digging up the driveway. I wondered if others had same or similar experiences.

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

Deb3000 — Thu, 21 May 2026 19:01:37 GMT

Sky are losing business with this nonsense.

I live on a private drive with 4 owners. No great length, only about 50 feet. However, when the numpties put the CF infrastructure in the street, they didn’t position it where it can connect into OR’s ducts. The result is that if any of us want CF they will need to get permission from all of us to dig the drive up.

I explained this to Sky, and Indian call centre chap agreed to it. What do they send out…yes, you guessed it, CF. Can they do the install, no. Result, I cancelled and went with BT.

Since then, one of my neighbours has had CF out twice. Both times they scratched their heads for a bit and then bu**ered off.

This naïve approach has to be costing Sky more than it’s saving!

Re: Cityfibre alternative options

TimmyBGood — Fri, 22 May 2026 06:39:07 GMT

@Deb3000 wrote:

Sky are losing business with this

This naïve approach has to be costing Sky more than it’s saving!

For individual cases, yes, but at scale, that's unlikely