In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I suspect you would have to defend the court case and that might be expensive if you lose.

If much of a fibre cable run is on your land you might be able to do the work yourself. You could approach Openreach. Laying fibre cable in the ground, perhaps in a duct is not difficult. Joining the stuff is the problem and requires special equipment.

The requirements for new-build fibre installs are clearly documented here: https://www.ournetwork.openreach.co.uk/resources/sit...

It specifies everything you need to do, including how to lay ducting and joint chambers.

I'd guess your original quote of £6K+ (for two properties) assumes all this preparation work has already been done.

In reply to a post by crawlenj:

I have contacted Openreach and they have offered a copper fixed line. The cabinet is FTTC.

In reply to a post by crawlenj:

Thanks Zarjaz, I've sent out a couple of requests for quotes, will add them to the FTTPoD thread when I get them.

Have you actually had a copper line installed already? Because if you haven't, then you won't be able to get a quote for FTTPoD.

In reply to a post by crawlenj:

Another option I thought of is that we have some BT infrastructure on our land (I've found a manhole cover so far) without a current wayleave agreement (I've checked with the historic wayleaves team). Does anyone know if Openreach will install a fibre line in exchange for a wayleave being granted?

Are you absolutely certain that the BT chamber isn't feeding an existing/historic line on the property?

Have a read of

https://www.ournetwork.openreach.co.uk/altering-our-...

particularly

Wayleaves archive searches
We also provide an archive search service which allows us to search for existing wayleave agreements from our extensive archive. If this is required please forward the location details to the team in Shrewsbury at [email protected] who will be pleased to help. This is a chargeable service for those other than the landowner.

I strongly advise against mentioning that you think you have wayleave leverage over them when attempting to order FTTP via ANY method.
Any Wayleave issue would be resolved entirely separately to any quote for work.
You're more likely to p*** people off than have them bending rules for you.
Especially since your 1st response was that you don't qualify for FTTP as a developer.

Oh dear, I haven't come across well. I wasn't intending on using blackmail !

I just wondered if anyone had experience of getting the wayleave department to talk to the new installation department within Openreach. Openreach pay for a new wayleave where there is existing equipment (serving sites other than the landowner). Would they offset this against the cost of providing a new line to the landowner? So they get a wayleave for free and we get a cheaper installation. I'm guessing not from your responses, but I would be interested if anyone has managed to get Openreach to think outside the box.

Thanks frogmella.

that's very useful. No there is no line at all at the moment, so that doesn't look like an option.

Thanks Michael and Saffron,

We could do the trenching etc ourselves, but at the moment I don't think Openreach will connect fibre even if we installed it. Their policy is not to provide a fibre connection to a single unit.

If there was a requirement for them to pay for a wayleave then they would pay it to the owner (presumably you) which you could then use to offset installation charges. It wouldn't require any internal discussion in Openreach.

No worries. You may also want to consider a fibre leased line as you have a choice of providers other than BT (eg Virgin Media, SSE, TalkTalk Business, Vodafone et al) who may decide to do things differently than BT/Openreach. Well worth getting a quote from linebroker.co.uk

Crawlenj

If you have no copper line, then you may be able to get the USO copper provision moved to Fibre provision IF you go the right way.

Try explaining your situation simply in an E-mail.

1. Apologise for contacting him but you do not know who to direct this query to as there appears to be no channel to cover single new build sites.
2 You have no Copper provision to a new build house.
3. So rather than having a USO copper provision at OR cost ( plus any Excess cost) you wish to have Fibre provided at USO cost plus Excess costs.
4.You are willing to sign an affidavit renouncing the right to Copper USO provision ( and include this in a Covenant if you sell the business) This covers OR until OFCOM replaces the Copper USO in your area ( like FTTP only areas)

Thank him.

Send this to [removed by tbb]

He will pass it on to someone who will contact you to deal with. The above is best long term solution for OR and you and may achieve what you want as a win-win.

You may still have to pay excess costs but you may for a copper provision as well!

Edited by seb (Mon 02-Feb-26 22:04:30)

Hi Kitcat,

thank you so much - email sent & fingers crossed