Installing FTTP To A Block Openreach Say It Is Not Possible

I live in an MDU with nine flats. It’s a fairly modern block, built in 2013. The whole development mainly consists of SDUs, along with several blocks like ours. About three years ago, there was significant activity with pavements being dug up as Virgin, Swish, and Openreach installed their fibre networks. As a result, the entire development can now take advantage of FTTP, except for the blocks.

Two years ago, I contacted Openreach, and they confirmed they were happy to install their equipment in our block, provided a wayleave was signed first. All residents went through the process of registering their interest, and our property management company was also supportive of the installation. However, despite submitting the Openreach interest form, they heard nothing back. They chased the matter, and I, along with other residents, also followed up.

Now, two years later, I’ve received an email from our property management company stating that they contacted Openreach’s MDU desk and were informed that our block is not part of their build program, meaning FTTP cannot be installed.

What I’m trying to understand is: if all the houses in the development have access to FTTP, including our neighbour, whose house right next to our block had it installed just last week—why is Openreach unwilling to install their equipment here?

What is so complicated about installing FTTP in a small block of flats that already has all the necessary ducting in place? The Openreach manhole is right outside our block, so distance shouldn’t be an issue.

Do we need to be part of a "build program" to get Openreach to install to our block?

In reply to a post by Zvezdi:

I live in an MDU with nine flats. It’s a fairly modern block, built in 2013. The whole development mainly consists of SDUs, along with several blocks like ours. About three years ago, there was significant activity with pavements being dug up as Virgin, Swish, and Openreach installed their fibre networks. As a result, the entire development can now take advantage of FTTP, except for the blocks.

Two years ago, I contacted Openreach, and they confirmed they were happy to install their equipment in our block, provided a wayleave was signed first. All residents went through the process of registering their interest, and our property management company was also supportive of the installation. However, despite submitting the Openreach interest form, they heard nothing back. They chased the matter, and I, along with other residents, also followed up.

Now, two years later, I’ve received an email from our property management company stating that they contacted Openreach’s MDU desk and were informed that our block is not part of their build program, meaning FTTP cannot be installed.

What I’m trying to understand is: if all the houses in the development have access to FTTP, including our neighbour, whose house right next to our block had it installed just last week—why is Openreach unwilling to install their equipment here?

What is so complicated about installing FTTP in a small block of flats that already has all the necessary ducting in place? The Openreach manhole is right outside our block, so distance shouldn’t be an issue.

Do we need to be part of a "build program" to get Openreach to install to our block?

I'm in a similar situation. Our landlord (Freeholder) wants to get it done for us but Openreach doesn't want the wayleave. They came a few months ago to install the fibre aggregator node across the street from my flat. The entire neighbourhood connects to it. All the SDUs can get FTTP but none of the MDUs.

As a side note, all the other MDUs have VM HFC Gigabit broadband. Ours is the only w/o cable TV so we're stuck with VDSL2 for now. I'm hoping this (lack of Gigabit option) would cause Openreach to prioritise our flat.

In your case, have you checked September 2024's OMR results? May 2025 results are being compiled and is due to be published soon.

I can share some helpful links with you that I've kept handy after months of chasing this issue.

I’m in a block of 6 and there are two alt nets in the street outside (one on a pole) that service the SDU. Neither alt net can get a response from the landlord of the MDU blocks. No sign of openreach yet.

https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/index.php?tab=...


Keep an eye on the tbb maps as they do update the omr status

Thanks for the link. I checked the map and I can see that our block and the other blocks on the development have a blue dot, which I think means they are under review?

All the other buildings show a grey dot which aligns with them already being able to get FTTP.

I am just wondering now if there would be any chance of getting Virgin Media to install into the block. They also have their cables running outside the building.