FTTP on Demand: Business Full Fibre When You Need It
FTTP on demand (FoD) is an Openreach service that extends full fibre broadband to business premises where the standard FTTP rollout has not yet reached. It is a viable option in some cases, but costs can be significant — ranging from zero to several thousand pounds depending on how far the nearest fibre infrastructure is from your building.
Nathan Hill-Haimes
Technical Director
For businesses in areas where FTTP has not yet been deployed — and where FTTC or ADSL is insufficient for their needs — FTTP on demand offers a potential route to full fibre broadband without waiting for the standard network rollout to arrive. It is a niche product with real potential in certain circumstances, but the economics need to be assessed carefully before ordering.
What Is FTTP on Demand?
FTTP on demand (sometimes abbreviated FoD or FTTPON) is a service offered by BT Openreach that allows businesses to commission the extension of Openreach's full fibre network to their specific premises, even where the standard rollout has not yet reached.
Openreach will survey the route from the nearest existing fibre infrastructure to your building and calculate the cost of building the necessary duct and fibre connection. If you agree to the cost, they proceed with the installation. The resulting connection is then delivered via an ISP, just like standard FTTP.
How FTTP on Demand Works — Step by Step
- Order placement: You order FTTP on demand through an ISP that offers the product. Not all ISPs offer FoD, so availability of the service depends partly on which ISPs operate in your area.
- Openreach survey: Openreach surveys the route from the nearest full fibre node to your premises. This may be a few hundred metres or several kilometres.
- Excess construction charge (ECC) quoted: If civil works are required beyond a standard threshold, Openreach quotes an excess construction charge. Below the threshold (typically around 100m from existing fibre duct), ECC is zero. Beyond that, costs escalate with distance.
- Decision point: You decide whether to proceed based on the ECC. If the cost is acceptable, the build commences.
- Installation: Civil works and fibre installation are completed. Lead times vary from a few months to considerably longer for complex builds.
- Service activation: Your ISP activates the FTTP service on the new connection.
FTTP on Demand Costs
The cost of FTTP on demand depends entirely on how far your premises is from existing Openreach fibre infrastructure:
- Under ~100m from existing fibre: ECC of zero — you pay only the standard FTTP connection charge and monthly broadband tariff. This is the best-case scenario.
- 100m–500m: ECC typically ranges from £500 to £3,000, depending on the route, whether existing ducts can be used and local civil engineering costs.
- 500m–1km: ECC can range from £3,000 to £10,000+. At this level, a leased line quotation for comparison becomes essential.
- Over 1km or complex routes: ECCs above £10,000 are not uncommon. For most businesses, a leased line — which provides dedicated bandwidth and a strong SLA alongside the physical fibre connection — is more cost-effective at this level.
Note that the ECC is a one-off infrastructure cost, separate from the ongoing monthly broadband tariff. However, the decision about whether to proceed must account for the total cost over the expected contract term.
FTTP on Demand vs a Leased Line
Where FTTP on demand requires significant civil works and a substantial ECC, a leased line may be a more appropriate and cost-effective solution:
- A leased line provides dedicated, guaranteed bandwidth — not shared access like FTTP
- Leased line SLAs are significantly stronger, with contractual response and repair times
- In many cases, a leased line can be delivered more quickly than a complex FoD build
- Leased line pricing often amortises the infrastructure cost differently, with the carrier bearing more of the civil works risk
AMVIA always recommends comparing leased line quotes alongside an FTTP on demand assessment. For businesses needing more than basic broadband performance, the leased line option frequently wins on total cost of ownership as well as performance.
When FTTP on Demand Is the Right Choice
FoD makes most sense when:
- Your ECC is low (zero to a few hundred pounds)
- Your bandwidth requirement is modest — standard broadband performance is sufficient
- The alternative would be an extended wait for the standard rollout
- You are in a commercial premises but in a primarily residential area where a leased line would be disproportionately expensive
FTTP Not Available Yet? Let's Find Your Best Option
AMVIA checks FTTP availability, assesses FTTP on demand viability and compares leased line alternatives for your specific address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lead times vary significantly depending on the complexity of the build. A simple connection requiring minimal civil works may be completed in 3–4 months. More complex builds involving road openings, wayleave negotiations or longer duct runs can take 6–12 months or more. AMVIA can set realistic expectations based on your specific location.
Not all ISPs offer FTTP on demand as a product. It is offered by a subset of Openreach wholesale partners. If you are interested in FoD, you need to work with an ISP that has the commercial agreement with Openreach to offer the service. AMVIA can identify appropriate ISPs for your location.
FTTP on demand uses the same Openreach FTTP infrastructure as standard FTTP, so the available speeds are the same — up to 1Gbps download on current Openreach FTTP products. The only difference is that the infrastructure build is funded specifically for your premises. <strong>One in five (20%) UK businesses</strong> report insufficient internet speeds for their needs (Uswitch business broadband research). <em>(TechUK)</em>
No. Ordering FTTP on demand does not accelerate or delay the standard Openreach FTTP rollout to your area. The rollout proceeds on its own schedule regardless of whether individual premises have commissioned FoD.
No. The ECC is a non-refundable payment for infrastructure construction work that has been completed. Once you agree to the charge and the build proceeds, it is not refundable. This is an important consideration before committing — ensure the ongoing monthly service is tied to a contract that protects your investment in the infrastructure.
Related Reading
FTTP on Demand Costs: Why High Prices Are a Barrier
An honest look at when FTTP on demand costs become prohibitive and what alternatives are worth considering.
FTTP on Demand: Costs & Installation Explained
A detailed breakdown of what FTTP on demand installation involves and how costs are calculated.
100Mbps Leased Line: Costs, Speeds & Providers Explained
When FTTP on demand is too expensive, a leased line is often the better alternative — here is what it costs.