BT Openreach FTTP install questions

Hi all, I've read through some really helpful posts here about the install process but coming from a 10yr+ Virgin cable background and never having had a BT service I still have a few questions.

I've ordered Fibre 900 which is scheduled for install next Thursday. The broadband checker website lists my address with the following data:

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range (Mbps) Availability Date FTTP Install Process
WBC FTTP Up to 1000 Up to 220 -- Available 1 Stage

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG premises served by 2.5 Inch plastic duct 56.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

My questions relate to how the fibre will enter my home, it's a relatively modern property built in the 80s:

1. Is this grey thing the duct? Presumably this is where the previous copper line came in.
Duct

If it is, it's no longer connected anywhere and I don't know how the connection originally came into the house as the old BT socket is on the other side of the house and there is no hole in the wall anywhere near this grey thing..

2. If the fibre connection comes to this grey duct (I'm not sure how we have no poles around us but I guess it uses the same path as the copper) - can it be routed to the other side of the house? I already have holes where a previous cable install was, which go into a cupboard under the stairs and has access to power. It would be much better as the router would be in the middle of the house and would allow me to run ethernet up to my office above. But someone has said that fibre can't be run around corners? So I'm a little confused how the cable can ever go around the side of a house if that's the case.

3. Lastly any tips for making the install as easy as possible? I am going to provide endless tea and biscuits but is there anything else I can do to increase the chances of me getting the ONT installed where I want it? I was going to ask if they want me to wear a mask, tell them I'm fully vaccinated and provide alcohol gel. Is that overkill?

The fibre will come from the street via that grey duct, on mine they went straight through the wall (at my request) My neighbours on the other hand had it run from the duct around to the other side of their house with no issues at all.

Just make sure the areas where the engineer will need to work is clear and the rest should be simple

Have teh ONT located fairly close to where the duct is and has a power socket close by. Don,t try getting them to make a long internal run going through holes and round wall.

Then, fit a nice looking RJ45 faceplate close to the ONT and run Cat5e/6 exactly where YOU want, to your office and terminate with another RJ45 face plate. Install router, and two short patch leads and that is it.

That will give you wore control on the cable route and what it looks like.

I think that's the problem - where the duct is, there is no access to power on the opposite wall (it's the hall of the house). The other wall is the living room and there are no spare power points, and I don't really want to have an ONT on the inside of the lounge wall with flashing lights although I know these can probably be covered up. It would be much more convenient if the connection was routed around the front door and back up the other side of the house. No need to drill more holes as they are already there, easy access to power, network stuff all neatly away and better placement for WiFi and future network expansion.

Is it ever possible to do direct burial of fibre? I have that possibility all the way from the duct to where I want the ONT to go. If they won't bury the cable could I ask them to attach both ends to the wall and leave for me to do? Or is that a big no no?

They own and are responsible for the fibre - let them route it.

I believe they should be able to run an external cable around the outside of the house, as long as you don't mind a visible cable on your wall (it will be black, looks a bit like TV coax). This cable is *not* suitable for direct burial.

Anyway, I suggest you talk through the options on the day. Most engineers are very helpful and are as flexible as they can be to reasonable requests. They certainly won't install where there's no power for the ONT.

They will normally route outside - within reason, if you ask and make sure access is easy and any obstructions cleared. Have seen it before where somone ran a piece of string along teh path and the pre-drilled and fitted pin plugs to make fixing easy!

Openreach will NOT bury the cable, it isn’t meant to be buried. Where the current copper feed comes up, they will fit a customer demarcation/splice point. The ONT position will be discussed, and if your suggestion is reasonable, should be fitted where agreed.

Corners are possible with the ‘inside out’ fibre lead in cables used.

Masks are preferable, they will have their own cleaning stuff to use, leaving windows open in the rooms they will need to access is good practice.

Don’t ’crowd’ the installer.

As others have said, make as much room as possible along the proposed route.

Oh, and prey you don’t get a contractor.

It looks from the photo that the existing cable will enter the house under the floor behind the duct capping, and run under the floor to the current location.

If there is easy access under the floor, (an easily accessible hatch and plenty of space to move about underneath) you could suggest the cable is enters the house in the same location and is run under the floor into your preferred location.

The engineer may be reluctant as they are meant to have a second safety person to go under the floor, but if you were to be pre drill the relevant holes - one in the floor board where the ONT is to be installed, and one behind the duct capping (if the existing hole isn’t big enough for a second cable) - it may be enough to convince them that it is the easiest way, especially if it saves them having to cleat a cable all the way round the outside of the house.

No underfloor access I'm afraid but thanks for the suggestion. There is an old BT plug on the other side of the house (the side I want the ONT, but I want it further up that side), so I think you must be right in that the current copper connection goes under the floor.

Thank you everyone for the really helpful advice, I feel a lot better prepared now and have a few options. If only my front door wasn't in the way it would be relatively easy run but I'll hope I get a BT engineer, clear a path, open the windows, get biscuits, make tea and generally be as nice as I can be on the day. I'll feed back on Thursday about the outcome. It feels a bit like I'm about to run a fibre gauntlet!

Just thought I’d close the loop on this and feedback on my install.

Was booked in for 8-1. Guys came at about 12. They were Openreach engineers.

One guy had just come off his fibre training so a more experienced engineer was with him.

The whole thing was pretty flawless. They had a good chat to me first, asked me where I wanted the ONT. I showed them, they walked around a bit and the next thing they said was ‘no problem, this is how we will route the cable is that ok with you?’ It was more than ok because their route was far better looking than I had thought. They did a brilliant job. The more experienced guy was really helpful, even took me to the manhole at the end of the road to show me the kit and to tell me I was the first connection there!

All in all I can’t fault them they were extremely professional and considerate and generally really nice blokes. I gave them a box of biscuits for the van and they went on their way. I’m now enjoying 930 Mbps down with an 8 ms ping. Nice!

Glad it went well.

If you were really happy and impressed by their performance can I suggest an email to [removed by tbb] . People are quick enough to email him about issues and problems ... no reason not to send a positive email which will possibly trickle down to their line manager.

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:38:19)

In reply to a post by MHC:

If you were really happy and impressed by their performance can I suggest an email to [removed by tbb] . People are quick enough to email him about issues and problems ... no reason not to send a positive email which will possibly trickle down to their line manager.

I second this, as that team mostly have deal with some stressful customers, which at times isn't fun.

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:38:28)

In reply to a post by MHC:

If you were really happy and impressed by their performance can I suggest an email to [removed by tbb] . People are quick enough to email him about issues and problems ... no reason not to send a positive email which will possibly trickle down to their line manager.

They have a dedicated page for this.

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/thank-an-...

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 21:38:45)

Fill out this form: https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/thank-an-...
It will be fed back to that engineers team.

As above people are quick enough to complain when they do a bad job.