Full Fibre Openreach Installation - What now?

[0hzone]

Hi,

I really hope someone can help. I'm genuinely at my wits end - I just want working internet 😞 

I've recentlly joined Sky after seeing a good deal online. I booked in my new broadband ahead of moving into my new flat, and was given a 18 day wait (4th Feb 2025) for installation. From the first call to sign on, things have only gone downhill. 

• I was told I would be added to the priority list - That wasn't done (and I don't actually qualify).  
• I was told I could check for new available (earlier) dates myself - That's not possible on the app, so I had to call in each time. 
• I was told to periodically call in to check on availability for an earlier appt - After calling 4 times in a week to check, the 5th agent I spoke to told me it's actually not even possible for them to move up the appt, and it can only be done by Openreach.

I got an SMS update on 23 Jan to say " Openreach have told us they currently do not have equipment in place to connect your Broadband and Talk to your phone exchange. You will receive a text with an update on your order on 04/02/2025 ". Yes, the same day as my installation date.  When I called in to ask for more information, I was told that 04 Feb was "always" tentative, and it's now unlikely that I will get my installation on the 4th. They couldn't share any more information than that. 

After some online perusing I saw the suggestion to use the BT address checker,  so I'm hoping that if I share that below someone can give me some kind of insight as to how far away I am from this actually becoming a reality. 

Today, I called to see if I could "downgrade" to a form of broadband that is not full fibre to avoid any works, and they advised that I cannot get anything but full fibre at my address, despite it not actually being available yet. Virgin and Hyperoptic aren't available in my area, so all other providers will be with Openreach so now I'm feeling stuck. Can someone please help me understand what my options are here? 

Thanks in advance! 

[jamesn123]

@0hzone 

Your address is showing as a deployment of burying the fibre cable directly into the ground because there is no existing ducting available. This will involve Openreach coming with a digger to excavate any area required to run the cable, some of this may not even be your property which is likely why there is a delay. You mentioned you are moving into a flat so its likely Openreach need to liase with the council, your building owner & yourself. 

Unfortunately the side effect of Openreach marking addresses as 'FTTP enabled' means no other older service can be ordered so FTTP deployment must be completed to connect the premises to broadband

[TimmyBGood]

@0hzone 

The relevant line is UG Partial Direct In Ground  meaning there needs to be a new duct laid to the property.

How long that takes depends on available Openreach resources, and unfortunately there can be a considerable wait.

The only good news is you should be eligible for compensation for every day from the 4th onwards.

ISPs typically cannot order FTTC connectivity at an address scheduled for FTTP.

[FLC]

As already said, the combination of a flat with no duct means two separate issues. Excavating the ground to lay the cable & securing permission from the freeholder.

If you have good coverage inside you could look at a 4G router to tide you over.

[0hzone]

@jamesn123 Thanks for the quick reply, and the insight. If you've seen this in the past, do you know how long it could potentially take? Sounds like I'll have to find an interim solution. 

[0hzone]

@FLC 

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, I'm marred with a 3rd issue of having virtually no signal strength in the flat. I went out and bought sim cards to test and I'm only getting 2 bars (approx. -112dBm) from EE, Three and o2. Any other suggestions? 😅 

[FLC]

@0hzone 

You can get external 4G aerials to attach to a router that may help if the data coverage is OK outside. But there may be limitations on what you can do in a flat, especially if it faces the wrong way.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/04/how-to-choose-an-external-4g-or-5g-mobile-broadband-an...

The Ofgem checker is a little better than the networks to see which one should provide best coverage.

https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage

[Chrisee]

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@0hzone wrote:

@jamesn123 Thanks for the quick reply, and the insight. If you've seen this in the past, do you know how long it could potentially take? Sounds like I'll have to find an interim solution. 

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@0hzone the ducting need not be a huge issue assuming permission from whover owns the land is given and the duct is laid in soft ground. My line used the same process the ducting used from the pavement point is very small,  it looks like a large cable. Things get more complex if it has to cross paths or a drive mine ran across a paved path and the guys simply widened a grout joint with an angle grinder and made good with cement. 

With flats the biggest unknown is getting agreement from the freeholder which will take as long as it takes 

[jamesn123]

@0hzone 

Putting a time estimate on it would be impossible it totally depends on Openreach availability & the amount of work that is required, like @Chrisee mentioned. But yes another solution would be logical for now because it could take weeks to months.

[0hzone]

Thanks everyone, this was all super helpful. I'm going to look into the router options while I wait for the work to be completed - I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later!