Last updated: Tuesday 6 October 2026 (Europe/London).
Next update: when Ofcom’s automatic compensation amounts change on 1 April 2027, or if Openreach changes its installation process.
By: Switch Editorial Team, Switch Squid Ltd
As of 6 October 2026, a full fibre installation on the Openreach network usually takes between one and four hours: an engineer runs fibre from a nearby pole or underground duct, drills one small hole to bring it inside, fits a small box called an ONT and tests the line — and if the engineer misses the appointment, providers in Ofcom’s scheme owe you £32.31 automatically. Someone over 18 has to be at home throughout, and renters need their landlord’s permission before any drilling. SwitchSquid explains each step below, along with BT Full Fibre 900 at £45.99 a month if you are ready to order; we may earn a commission if you buy through our links.
Sources: Openreach — how full fibre is installed, Openreach — what to expect during your installation, Openreach — guidance for landlords and Ofcom — automatic compensation.
BT Full Fibre 900 — installed on the Openreach network
- Listed at £45.99 a month when we checked on 6 October 2026
- Speeds up to 900Mbps over full fibre to your home
- BT is in Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme for missed appointments and late starts
- Main limitation: only available where Openreach full fibre reaches your address; confirm set-up costs and contract length at checkout
Before installation day: what to sort out
Most of the work of a smooth installation happens before the engineer arrives. Once you order a full fibre package, your provider confirms an installation date and sends reminders. Openreach says a survey is sometimes carried out first if a property has unusual access requirements, for example a long private drive or a shared building.
Permission. If you rent, ask your landlord for permission now, not on the morning of the appointment. Openreach’s guidance is clear that renters need landlord approval for any drilling inside or outside. Landlords of single homes are told the work typically means running cable to a small junction box on an outside wall, fitting the ONT inside, and drilling a 12mm hole through the wall to connect the two. A short email to your landlord that explains this usually gets a quick yes.
Flats and shared buildings. In blocks of flats, Openreach usually needs the building owner or building manager to sign a wayleave, which is a permission agreement, before it can survey the building and plan a route. That can add weeks, so if you live in a flat, check whether your building already has full fibre in the communal areas before you order.
Where the router will go. Openreach recommends thinking about the router position before the visit. The ONT and router sit close together, and both need power, so choose a spot near a double socket that is central enough for good wifi. Openreach specifically warns against a dark cupboard under the stairs. If you work from home, a spot near where you can run an ethernet cable to your desk is worth considering too.
Clear access. Make sure the engineer can reach the outside wall where the cable will arrive and the inside spot you have chosen. Move furniture, and keep pets out of the way.
What happens on the day, step by step
- A call ahead. The engineer usually calls or texts before arriving to confirm the time and ask about access or parking.
- Agreeing the route. On arrival, the engineer talks you through the route the fibre will take from the nearest connection point, which could be an overhead pole or an underground duct, to your home.
- Outside work. The fibre is run to a small junction box on an outside wall. Openreach says the engineer may drill a couple of temporary holes outside for ladder safety and will fill them afterwards.
- Bringing the cable in. You agree where a small hole is drilled through the wall. If digging or drilling is needed, the engineer will ask you to sign a permission-to-work form first.
- Fitting the ONT. A small white box called an Optical Network Terminal is mounted on the inside wall. This is where the fibre ends and where your router connects.
- Testing. The engineer tests the line to make sure it is working before leaving, and tidies up.
Openreach says most installations take between one and four hours. If extra work is needed, such as clearing a blocked duct, the visit can take longer, and in a small number of cases the engineer has to come back on another day to finish.
Full fibre installation at a glance (checked 6 October 2026)
| Stage | What happens | Typical time or rule | What you need to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order and booking | Provider confirms a date; a survey may come first for unusual access | Date set by your provider | Choose a date when an adult can be in all day | Openreach |
| Permission | Landlord consent for drilling; wayleave for many blocks of flats | Before booking | Get written permission early | Openreach |
| Engineer visit | Cable run from pole or duct, wall hole, ONT fitted, line tested | Usually 1 to 4 hours | Someone over 18 present throughout | Openreach |
| Wall hole | One small hole to connect the outside box to the ONT | 12mm hole, guidance for landlords | Agree the position with the engineer | Openreach |
| Missed appointment | Engineer does not turn up or cancels with under 24 hours’ notice | £32.31 per missed appointment | Nothing; paid automatically by scheme members | Ofcom |
| Late start of service | Service not live on the promised date | £6.46 for each calendar day of delay | Nothing; credited within 30 days | Ofcom |
The compensation amounts are the ones that have applied since 1 April 2026 and rise each year with inflation. They apply to providers signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme, which includes BT. Compensation normally appears as a credit on your bill within 30 calendar days.
BT Full Fibre 900 — £551.88 over 12 months at the listed price
- £45.99 a month, plus any set-up charge shown at checkout
- Engineer installation with the ONT and router fitted on the day
- Check the contract length and any price rises in pounds and pence before you order
After the engineer leaves: getting the best from your new line
Plug the router into the ONT using the cable supplied, power it up and give it a few minutes to connect. Your provider’s instructions will tell you whether the router arrives before the visit or is set up on the day. Once you are online, run a speed test on a device connected by ethernet to see what the line itself is delivering; wifi results are almost always lower, especially in rooms far from the router.
If you are switching from an older copper or part-fibre service, check that anything that used to plug into your old phone socket still works. Many full fibre packages deliver home phone through the router rather than the wall socket. Ofcom’s One Touch Switch process now handles most moves between providers on different networks, so you usually only need to contact your new provider; our One Touch Switch guide explains the details.
A full fibre line removes the copper bottleneck, so it can feel like a big change. It is also worth thinking about wifi coverage: in larger homes, a mesh system or a wired connection to a second access point does more for speed in far rooms than a faster package. Our guide to what broadband speed you need can help you choose the right tier.
Common installation problems and what to do
The engineer cannot get the cable through. Blocked or collapsed ducts are one of the main reasons an installation takes longer. Openreach may need to book a separate team to clear the duct, which can mean a second appointment. Ask the engineer what the next step is and when you should expect to hear from your provider.
Nobody turns up. If your provider is in Ofcom’s scheme, you should be paid £32.31 automatically for a missed appointment, or for one cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice. If the start date then slips, you are due £6.46 for each calendar day the service is late.
You were not in, or asked for a later date. Compensation does not apply if you prevent the work from going ahead, for example by not being home or by choosing a later appointment than the one offered. Keep the slot you agreed if you can.
The landlord says no. If permission is refused, the installation cannot go ahead. Ask whether a different cable route or entry point would be acceptable, or look at providers that already serve the building.
Fit summary
- Good for ordering BT Full Fibre 900 now: homeowners or renters with landlord permission, at addresses where Openreach full fibre is already available, who want speeds up to 900Mbps.
- Consider waiting or a smaller tier instead: flats still waiting for a building wayleave, and smaller households that do not need 900Mbps.
- Plan ahead if: you work from home and cannot be without broadband; book the install a few weeks before your current contract ends.
Important conditions
- Installation steps and times are Openreach’s published guidance, checked on 6 October 2026; your visit may differ depending on your property.
- Compensation amounts apply from 1 April 2026 to providers in Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme and rise each year with inflation.
- BT Full Fibre 900 availability, set-up charges and contract length depend on your address and are shown at checkout.
- New contracts must show any planned price rises in pounds and pence before you sign.
- Renters need landlord permission before any drilling.
- We may earn a commission if you buy through our links.
Final decision card
Full fibre already reaches your street and you have permission → order now and book the install before your current contract ends.
Living in a flat → check whether the building has full fibre in the communal areas before you order.
Engineer missed the slot → you are due £32.31 automatically from scheme providers, plus £6.46 a day if the start date slips.
Check BT Full Fibre 900 at your address
- Enter your postcode to confirm full fibre is available
- Get landlord permission first if you rent
- Book the install a few weeks before your current contract ends
FAQ
How long does a full fibre installation take?
Openreach says most full fibre installations take between one and four hours. Extra work, such as clearing a blocked duct, can make it longer. In a small number of cases the engineer has to come back on another day.
Do I need to be at home for a full fibre installation?
Yes. Someone over 18 must be present for the whole appointment to let the engineer in and agree where the cable and equipment go. If nobody is home, the installation will not go ahead.
Will the engineer drill holes in my wall?
Usually one small hole is drilled to bring the fibre inside; Openreach’s landlord guidance describes it as 12mm. The engineer may also drill temporary holes outside to secure a ladder and will fill them afterwards. You agree the position before any drilling starts.
Do I need my landlord’s permission for full fibre?
Yes, if you rent. Openreach says renters need landlord approval for any drilling inside or outside the property. In blocks of flats, the building owner may also need to sign a wayleave before work can begin.
What is an ONT?
An ONT, or Optical Network Terminal, is a small white box fitted on an inside wall where the fibre line ends. Your router plugs into it. It needs to be near a power socket, so plan its position before the visit.
What compensation do I get if the engineer does not turn up?
Providers in Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme pay £32.31 for each missed appointment, including those cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice. If your new service then starts late, you get £6.46 for each calendar day of delay. The money is usually credited to your bill within 30 days.
Can I use my old router with full fibre?
Sometimes, but most providers supply a router designed for their service, and setting up your own can need extra settings. For the easiest start, use the router your provider sends and connect it to the ONT with the cable supplied.
