Openreach 3 month wait for installation

[#1]

Is it usual for Openreach to provide 3 months waiting time to install my full fibre?

[#2]

@zappyella That sounds an awfully long time, even for OR. Are you in a remote location, or is your installation a complex one? 

[#3]

@zappyella 

Looking at https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome what does the narrative indicate.

Your are looking for something like: -

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-

[#4]

Hi

No I'm not in remote location - there are Openreach vans in my road daily installing full fibre - yet I get an almost 3 month schedule (end of January 2026). When i queried this yesterday, the lady from Plusnet put this down to the weather and longer nights.

I have been waiting since September to ahve it installed

[#5]

That explanation does not make sense, @zappyella . 

[#6]

The arrival of Openreach vans in your location does not necessary mean Full Fibre will be available now.

For me the Fibre cable arrived in the close I live in December 2024, Full Fibre became available April 2025.

The link I provided you should give an indication of when/if you can order Full Fibre

[#7]

I get this from that link

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG partial Direct In Ground.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

[#8]

No it doesn't

I wonder if Openreach have a shortrage of installation enginners

TBF to Plusnet they have loaned me a wifi dongle until i get sorted - 3 months is a long time to wait for full fibre though

[#9]

Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG partial Direct In Ground.

That means your current phone line is buried directly into the ground, some ground works are required to run the Fibre cable to your property, there will be a wait for that to be completed.

It's very frustrating for you

[#10]

Although I don't see why it makes it a 3 month wait, that 'partial Direct In Ground' does not help.

[#11]

What that does not indicate is the location of the dig.  If it encroaches into the public highway it will need an A55 and PTW.

If across private property it will need a wayleave.

[#12]

would weather conditions derail this though. I was told this was the reason for delay

[#13]

@zappyella  They are just making up excuses, Openreach seem to have great difficulty organising installations where digging is required. In my case there was blocked duct in the pavement and the Full Fibre upgrade was delayed for over three months because their contractors failed to turn up on two dates when PTW (permission to work) was in place, on the third occasion they had to extend the permit for an extra day to get the work done. 

Older houses on the estate have required significant dig work to get fibre to them with long stretches of roadworks which have been ongoing since March and are not yet completed so maybe your situation is similar. There is nothing you can do about it apart from wait.☹️

[#14]

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@zappyella wrote:

Hi

No I'm not in remote location - there are Openreach vans in my road daily installing full fibre - yet I get an almost 3 month schedule (end of January 2026). When i queried this yesterday, the lady from Plusnet put this down to the weather and longer nights.

I have been waiting since September to ahve it installed

---

Delays in my fibre installation were attributed by OR to "high demand for fibre in your area".

[#15]

@zappyella 

Shorter daylight hours and winter weather can certainly prolong the process. But it's not simply a case of a man turning up, digging a trench and installing fibre. In my case it went this way:

1. On Openreach employee turned up, surveyed the situation and marked a route for the duct. Luckily I was at home so we agreed this to where I wanted the fibre to enter my property.

2. Some time later contractors came, dug up my lawn and installed the duct and inserted a draw rope.

3. Some time after this I received an appointment and a contractor from a different company came and installed the fibre.

Between each step there was a delay waiting for the 'task complete' paperwork to be returned and the next stage ordered.