Openreach Engineer at front door helping customers

Installing Full Fibre

Full Fibre Installation – what to expect on the day

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Get Full Fibre ready with Openreach
Hi, I'm Leanne. I'm an Openreach engineer, and in this video, we'll be chatting you through what to expect on the day of your install.

Our best broadband yet
As part of the UK’s digital switchover, we’re replacing copper phone lines with cutting-edge Full Fibre Broadband, the UK's most reliable broadband technology. That means you'll see a lot less buffering and slowdown at busier times. Imagine lightning-fast downloads, streaming and a connection you can truly count on. Whether you're working from home, gaming or catching up on that must-see boxset. And, if you rely on your phone line to operate your intruder alarm or you have a health pendant or wrist alarm, just reach out to your service provider to make your transition smooth and worry free.

Keeping you informed before your installation
When you first sign up to ultra-fast Full Fibre Broadband, your service provider will have agreed a date with you for your installation. You should then have received further communications from your provider or Openreach, confirming your appointment. If you need to change your appointment date, follow the guidance provided in the communications you’ve received, and you can book a new date that works for you. Now, let's meet one of my Openreach engineer colleagues, who will show you how easy it is to prepare for your installation and what they expect on the big day.

What to expect during your Full Fibre installation
Hi, I'm Brian, and I'm an Openreach engineer, and I'm here to help you get ready to receive your ultra-fast Full Fibre broadband.

Customer Requirements
Before we come over and do the installation, make sure there is someone over 18 present, and get your landlord’s permission if you're renting. Also, you should have a think about where you want your router inside. It's got to be near a double power socket and a location best suited for WiFi coverage. We definitely wouldn't suggest a dark cupboard under the stairs.

What happens on the day?
On the day our engineer will ring you in advance of your appointment to let you know when we'll arrive. On arrival, the engineer will chat you through a potential route that the fibre cable will take in order to get you into service.

Assessment and most suitable route
The engineer will agree with you on where a hole should be drilled to bring the fibre optic cable in. We might need to drill a couple of holes outside just for our ladder safety. We will repair these holes and clean up after ourselves, so you'd never know we'd been there. If required, our engineer will ask you to sign a permission to work form to ensure you give consent if the engineer is required to carry out any digging or drilling.

Installing fibre from overhead or underground
We'll run the fibre optic cable from a nearby pole or underground to a small junction box on an external wall. In a small number of instances, the work required may be more complex, and we may need to arrange to come back on another day to complete the work.

Working inside your property
When the engineer has completed the external work, they will require access inside the premises to fit the internals. An ONT (Optical Network Terminal) is a white box that connects the fibre optic cable, providing access to the Full Fibre network in your property. The wall mounted unit and the router will need to be close. Remember earlier, when we said it needs to be near a double socket? This is why.

Demonstrating your new service
Once it's all set up, the engineer will connect your main device to the new router and make sure everything's working smoothly. You're now part of the Openreach Full Fibre Broadband club, where you and your entire family can surf the web like a pro, stream all the music you want, or catch up on that box set in 4K - all at the same time.

Thank you for watching. For more information, please visit openreach.com

Remember to make sure:

If you rent your property that you have the landlord's permission for us to drill a small hole on the inside and outside of the building.
A decision maker over the age of 18 is there throughout the whole appointment slot.
If we’re coming to do any external work separately, that our engineer can get access to the outside of your property.
You let your Service Provider know if there’s anything that could prevent us from connecting you on the appointed day.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the external junction box?

It's a 15cm x 13cm external junction box that we install on the outside of your property which connects the property to the Openreach fibre network.

Once your property is connected to our network, you can buy phone, tv, and broadband packages from your chosen Service Provider.
2. How do we connect the external junction box?

We connect the 15cm x 13cm external junction box to the Openreach fibre network using a fibre optic cable. Depending on your property, the cable will either run from underground or from a telegraph pole. In both cases, the cable runs directly from one of our exchanges.

If a ladder is required during the installation, our engineer may need to drill temporary holes outside your property to work safely. Don't worry as the engineer will fill the holes and leave it neat and tidy.
3. What is the box inside the house?

The box that we fit inside your house is called an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). The ONT is connected to the external junction box and brings our fibre network into your premises.
4. How does the internal installation work?

A much smaller cable will be run through the wall and attached to another box on the inside of your property. This internal box, called an ONT, will be around 13cm x 11cm.

Just a heads up, we'll need to drill a hole through the wall to enable us to connect the two boxes. If you're renting the property please make sure you get your landlord's permission for us to drill a hole. This will be 12mm wide and you can tell the engineer where you'd like them to drill.

Once the ONT has been fitted, we connect it your wireless router. You’re now ready to use the broadband package you’ve ordered from your Service Provider.
5. Will you do any external work before my scheduled appointment?

Yes, we may be able to complete any external work at your property before your scheduled installation date. If we need to this, we’ll let you know in advance.

Need to change your appointment or have a question about your installation?

If the appointment slot you've been given doesn’t work for you, please contact your Service Provider to reschedule your appointment to a date and time that’s more suitable.

If you have additional questions about your Full Fibre installation please contact your Service Provider. They have all your details and will be able to help you resolve any issues you may have.