We're building in this area now

Hi all,

I received an email from Openreach this morning with the update: “We’re building in this area now.”

From real‑world experience, does anyone know roughly how long it usually takes from receiving this update to actually being able to place an order with an ISP?

Thanks in advance.

How long is a piece of string, usually.

My area has been in this status for months now, and very little visible OR activity around.

When people say area, they may mean your house or other houses elsewhere in the same town...

In reply to a post by Bobby_Valentino:

Hi all,

I received an email from Openreach this morning with the update: “We’re building in this area now.”

From real‑world experience, does anyone know roughly how long it usually takes from receiving this update to actually being able to place an order with an ISP?

Thanks in advance.

It's anyone's guess. Openreach have never said a dicky-bird about FTTP in my area but then, there it was available according to the checker one day so I ordered it. Still no leaflets or any other advertising sent out that I'm aware of.

Check similar questions asked by dozens previously.

In reply to a post by Bobby_Valentino:

Hi all,

I received an email from Openreach this morning with the update: “We’re building in this area now.”

From real‑world experience, does anyone know roughly how long it usually takes from receiving this update to actually being able to place an order with an ISP?

Thanks in advance.

MDU or SDU?

In reply to a post by squarecrumpets:

In reply to a post by Bobby_Valentino:

Hi all,

I received an email from Openreach this morning with the update: “We’re building in this area now.”

From real‑world experience, does anyone know roughly how long it usually takes from receiving this update to actually being able to place an order with an ISP?

Thanks in advance.

MDU or SDU?

SDU

I wouldn’t worry if it’s an SDU. It’s quick and easy for them to deploy and they’ll prioritise them. It’s also quick as they won’t connect fibre to each SDU ahead of time. You’ll see them come round with cobras to pull the fibre under the road and then shortly after you’ll be able to order it. They’ll do the rest after you order.

In reply to a post by squarecrumpets:

I wouldn’t worry if it’s an SDU. It’s quick and easy for them to deploy and they’ll prioritise them. It’s also quick as they won’t connect fibre to each SDU ahead of time. You’ll see them come round with cobras to pull the fibre under the road and then shortly after you’ll be able to order it. They’ll do the rest after you order.

There's presence of an altnet that was pulling their fibre wire through the underground chambers last year summer (using the Cobra Rods too) ... but I think theres just about enough space for BT to push their cable through too. The PSTN (copper pairs) cable is taking up most of the space as it's quite thick and the diameter of the clay piping that runs in the ground isn't too large.

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Wed 06-Aug-25 13:36:45)

Ohh wow that's interesting.