Do I have to pay the survey cost?

Openreach's FoD survey is typically free — you only pay if you accept the ECC and proceed with the build. This makes the survey relatively low-risk: the main cost is the time involved in the process rather than a financial commitment. Openreach FTTP footprint (Q3 2025): 19.7 million premises , covering 58.7% of all UK premises. (ISPreview)

Can I withdraw after the survey if the ECC is too high?

Yes. Once you receive the ECC quotation, you can decline to proceed and withdraw from the process at no cost (provided you have not yet agreed to and paid the ECC). This is a reasonable juncture to re-evaluate alternatives such as a leased line.

What if construction uncovers unexpected issues and the cost increases?

Openreach quotes the ECC based on their survey, but unforeseen issues during construction — such as obstructions in existing ducts or unexpected subsurface conditions — can sometimes lead to revised costs. The contract terms should specify how this is handled. Always review the ECC acceptance documentation carefully. Total FTTP coverage (Q3 2025): 79.5% of UK premises (~26.7 million premises) — across all operators including Openreach, altnets, VMO2, and KCOM. (ISPreview)

Is the FTTP on demand connection the same quality as standard FTTP?

Yes. Once installed, FTTP on demand uses the same Openreach infrastructure and provides the same service as any other Openreach FTTP connection. Speed tiers, monthly pricing and support are handled by your ISP in the same way.

What if the standard FTTP rollout reaches my area after I have paid for FoD?

There is no refund or credit mechanism if the standard rollout subsequently extends to your area. The ECC is the cost of building the connection to your premises; whether the area around you is later covered by the standard programme does not affect what you have already paid.

Connectivity

FTTP on Demand: Costs & Installation Explained

A detailed guide to how FTTP on demand works in practice — from the initial order through survey, excess construction charge, civil works and final installation. Understanding the process helps businesses decide whether FoD is viable for their premises and what realistic timescales to expect.

NH

Nathan Hill-Haimes

Technical Director

7 min read·Mar 2026

The gap between the concept of FTTP on demand and the reality of commissioning it is significant for many businesses. Understanding the full installation process — and the cost calculation that underpins it — is essential before deciding whether FTTP on demand is the right path for your premises or whether alternatives should be evaluated first.

The FTTP on Demand Installation Process

Step 1: ISP Selection and Initial Order

FTTP on demand is ordered through an ISP, not directly from Openreach. Not every ISP offers the product — it requires a specific commercial relationship with Openreach's wholesale division. Your first step is identifying an ISP that can place a FoD order in your area.

When you place an order, your ISP submits it to Openreach as a formal order request. This triggers the survey phase.

Step 2: Openreach Survey

Openreach will conduct a survey to assess the route from the nearest full fibre node to your premises. The survey determines:

The distance from the nearest fibre infrastructure to your building
Whether existing ducts can be used or new duct installation is required
Whether any road crossings, private land (requiring wayleave agreements) or other complications exist on the route
The estimated civil engineering cost of completing the build

The survey typically takes 2–4 weeks to complete and return results. In some cases, particularly for complex routes, it can take longer.

Step 3: Excess Construction Charge (ECC) Quotation

After the survey, Openreach provides an ECC quotation. This is the one-off charge you will pay (in addition to the standard monthly tariff) for the infrastructure build. As detailed in our related article, ECC costs vary enormously:

Zero ECC: Openreach can reach your premises via existing ducts within the standard connection distance
Low ECC (£0–£500): Minor works required, typically a short duct extension
Medium ECC (£500–£3,000): More significant duct work, possibly including a road crossing
High ECC (£3,000–£15,000+): Substantial civil works, multiple road crossings or complex routing
Very high ECC (£15,000+): Long duct runs, difficult terrain or wayleave complications. At this level, a leased line is almost always a better option.

Step 4: Decision and Acceptance

Once you receive the ECC quotation, you have a decision point. You can accept the charge and proceed, or withdraw from the process. If you accept, you typically pay the ECC to your ISP who passes it through to Openreach. The ISP should also confirm the ongoing monthly tariff for the FTTP service.

Step 5: Civil Works and Fibre Installation

Once the ECC is paid and accepted, Openreach begins the physical construction work. This phase involves:

Obtaining road opening permits and traffic management approvals where required
Duct installation and any chamber construction along the route
Blowing the fibre cable through the new duct
Installing the Openreach network termination point (NTP) at your premises

Lead times for this phase are the most variable part of the process. Simple builds can complete in 6–8 weeks once construction begins. Complex builds may take 4–8 months or longer.

Step 6: ISP Provisioning and Activation

Once the physical infrastructure is complete, your ISP activates the FTTP service. This typically takes a few working days from Openreach confirming the build completion. Your ISP will confirm a go-live date once the infrastructure is ready.

Total Timeline

End-to-end, from initial order to having a live FTTP connection, expect the following:

Best case (simple build, no complications): 3–5 months
Typical case (moderate civil works): 6–9 months
Complex case (significant civil works, wayleaves): 9–18 months or longer

What You Get at the End

A successfully completed FTTP on demand installation delivers standard Openreach FTTP to your premises. Speed tiers, monthly pricing and ongoing support are then managed through your chosen ISP, identical to how standard FTTP works. The only difference is the upfront ECC investment.

Before You Start: Key Questions to Ask

What is the estimated ECC range before we proceed to a formal survey? (Some ISPs can provide a rough estimate)
What happens if the build costs more than the ECC survey estimate?
What are the minimum contract terms for the FTTP service — and what protects my ECC investment?
What is the realistic total timeline given my location?
Have you compared leased line pricing as an alternative?

Thinking About FTTP on Demand? Get Expert Advice First

Before committing to a survey and potential excess construction charge, AMVIA can advise on whether FoD is the right approach or whether a leased line or alternative is better suited to your needs.

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