When ordering broadband for your premises, an Openreach engineer may need to attend your premises to commission the service. Understanding the different installation options available helps to ensure your service is up and running as quickly as possible.
How Install Types Are Determined
The minimum install type for your premises is determined by its classification in the Ordnance Survey database. This classification system ensures that each premises receives an installation service appropriate to its requirements.
Residential premises will have a minimum requirement for a Standard installation, while business premises will require either a Premium or Advanced installation, based on their specific classification. This determination happens automatically based on the Ordnance Survey data for your address.
Remote Installation
This option is available for orders that don’t require an engineer to visit your premises. All work is completed remotely, and you’ll need to connect your equipment yourself.
This is only available when a working ONT (for FTTP services) or NTE (for copper services) socket is already present in the correct location in your premises.
Standard Installation
Standard installation is the minimum type available for residential premises and is only available for sites listed as residential in the Openreach database.
Standard Installation provides:
- Up to 10 meters of internal wiring
- Installation of the NTE/ONT within 1 meter of a 13A power socket at the nearest point to where the cable enters the building
- Wiring that conforms to Openreach standards
- Connection of the provided router
- Demonstration of the working service on a connected device
Important note: When multiple power sockets exist, the engineer will install the equipment within one meter of the socket closest to the cable entry point.
Premium Installation
Premium installation is the minimum requirement for any business premises. It can also be selected for more complex residential premises.
Suitable for premises such as:
- Simple retail shops or pubs
- Homes requiring a more complex setup
- Small offices
Premium Installation provides:
- Installation of the NTE/ONT up to 30 meters from the cable entry point
- Installation on existing cable trays or in existing trunking
- Routing through accessible ceiling or floor voids
- Placement within 1 meter of a 13A power socket of your choice
- Router positioning to provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage
- Installation of up to two data extension kits and/or relocation of an existing ONT/NTE to a preferred location within range
- Addition of a voice reinjection plate and connection of the provided cable if required
Advanced Installation
Advanced installation is required for specific complex premises types.
Required for the following premises:
- Railway stations
- Large retail establishments
- Large offices
- Schools
- Factories
- Care homes
- Fire stations
Advanced Installation provides:
- Up to 100 meters of internal wiring
- Installation within 1 meter of a 13A power socket
- Routing through multiple walls
- Installation of new cable trunking
- Installation on existing cable trays or in existing trunking
- Routing through removable and accessible ceiling or floor tiles
- Connection to existing in-building structured cabling, such as in communications rooms
- Ability to mark preferred NTE/ONT installation location
- Option for unattended installation with speed test results
Important Considerations
Cabling Length Specifications
The lengths specified for each install type refer to the actual length of cable installation. Remember that skirting boards, door frames, and other obstacles that must be navigated all consume portions of the total cable length the engineer will install.
Planning Questions to Consider
Before your installation, consider these key factors:
- How far from the front of the building do you need to position the router?
- Is there a power socket within 1 meter of your desired router location?
- Is the installation area easily accessible to the engineer?
- Will the engineer need to route cables through multiple walls?
- Will cables need to go through any ceiling or floor tiles?
- Are there existing cable trays or trunking that can be used?
When measuring the required distance, trace the path along the edge of walls, including all skirting boards and door frames that the cable must navigate around.
Standard Installation Limitation
For Standard installations, there’s an important caveat to understand: the engineer will install the ONT/NTE within 1 meter of the 13A power socket that’s nearest to the cable entry point. For example, if you want the ONT/NTE installed 8 meters from the lead-in, but there’s a power socket just 1 meter from where the cable enters the premises, the engineer will only install an additional 1 meter from that nearest socket, resulting in a maximum of 2 meters from the lead-in point, not the 8 meters you might prefer.
If You Need Help
If you’re unsure which installation type to choose, please contact us, and we’ll help assess your specific situation and guide you through the process.