Our 'Maps by Email' service provides password-controlled internet access to Openreach plant location maps held on a central web site. Click here for full details .
2 Is there enough capacity to serve my site?
We'll carry out any network reinforcement work needed outside the site boundary and in the public highway to provide capacity for your development. There will be a charge for this, minus an allowance of £3,400 (excluding VAT) per plot.
3 I'm demolishing an existing building to make way for a new development, how do I get the existing apparatus removed?
If you need to get existing Openreach equipment removed, you'll need to get in touch with our Network Rearrangement Team using the contact form.
4 Will my customers be able to get superfast broadband?
For information on superfast fibre broadband, visit our dedicated microsite here.
5 What if I discover that Openreach equipment is in the way of my development?
If your work is likely to affect Openreach network or plant equipment, you'll need to get in touch with our Network Rearrangement Team using the contact form.
6 How do I register my development for a new communications network?
You need to get in touch with your regional new sites office as soon as possible during the planning process. Full details of how to register your development can be found here.
7 How long does it take to get a proposed layout?
We'll need a minimum of four weeks' notice from receipt of the final plan of your site before work starts on-site to allow for the proposed layout to be designed. If this notice period is not given, then we may have to charge you.
8 Can I get a proposed layout early, before planning permission is granted, or for costing purposes only?
Yes, but there is a charge. Once we've provided you with a final designed layout of the Openreach infrastructure required, all subsequent requests for revisions or amendments will also be chargeable.
9 What's the process for a small development (e.g. 1-4 residential plots)?
You'll need to give us a site location plan, site layout and a covering letter that includes your on-site start date and the proposed date of the first occupancy. We can then log your new development and provide you with a new site reference. We'll then organise for your dedicated new sites representative to visit your site and work out the preferred method of service.
10 Do you provide networks for the development of holiday homes, lodges, caravan parks, etc.?
We'll only install off-site cable if you've installed a duct and cable infrastructure, but this is fully chargeable with no allowance. Where a developer is installing the entire on-site infrastructure, all materials (duct and cable) are chargeable.
The site owner/developer will, in the first instance, be asked to pay the Network Reinforcement Charges. If the developer refuses to pay this, we won't start work until the first order for service is received from an end user's communications provider, when the full network reinforcement charge will be applied.
Please note that these charges are in addition to the standard connection charges which apply for the applicable service.
In all cases when network reinforcement is required, a survey will be carried out and charges will be individually assessed based upon the Excess Construction Charges as outlined here in the Pricing section of the Products pages on this website.
11 How do I organise a site office line?
Simply contact your preferred communications provider who will be able to help.
12 Who do I contact if I'm refurbishing an existing building and need the internal equipment moved?
You'll need to get in touch with our Network Rearrangement Team using the contact form. Our pricing structure for customer-owned wiring will be based on Time Related Charges as outlined here in the pricing pages on this website.
13 Will my site be connected by overhead or underground cables?
Your dedicated new sites representative will determine our preferred method of service at the initial site meeting. In general if the development is in an area where an overhead network exists, then this will be the preferred method of service. The same principle applies to underground areas.
14 When will I have my initial site meeting?
Your dedicated new sites representative will contact you to arrange a site visit once we’ve designed the proposed layout and as near to your works start on site date as possible. If you have already started on-site and wish to arrange this meeting, please contact the nearest regional new sites office to your development.
15 My site has been surveyed as an overhead feed but I'd like it underground, can I arrange this?
Yes this can be arranged, although there will be a charge. Once your site has been surveyed we will send you a letter which outlines the options available to you and the associated costs. Please see our Stores page for more details.
16 How do I get Openreach materials for my development?
Full information on getting all the materials you need to build and install the Openreach network on your site can be found on our Stores page.
17 Are there any charges?
In certain circumstances, miscellaneous charges may be levied on developers and/or their contractors. These include:
18 What's a wayleave, and do you need one?
A wayleave is the necessary written permission that Openreach needs before we can carry out any work to install, maintain, adjust, repair or alter our network on private land. For more information on when and how to obtain a wayleave, click here.
19 Will I get paid for the work done on behalf of Openreach?
Payment for the construction and installation of the Openreach network on new developments may be made on a per unit basis on developments of flats and/or houses with 11 or more units. Terms and conditions are outlined in a new sites contract document which you can download here.
For more information, please contact thenearest regional Openreach new sites office to your development using our map here.
20 How do I arrange payment for the work done on behalf of Openreach?
Full details of how to invoice Openreach for the work you have done on our behalf are available here.
21 When will you do the work needed in the public highway to connect to the duct I've laid on-site?
We aim to carry out any work needed in the public highway within 12 weeks of the date that your first unit is ready for service. The engineers working on our behalf will liaise with your site manager to ensure the duct they’re laying is connected to what has already been laid on-site. If the on-site duct is yet to be laid, they will leave the duct marked at the site boundary for the developer to connect to.
22 How do I arrange connection to individual units?
At the initial site meeting the local surveyor will provide you with a Plot Management Sheet which you will need to complete and return to your local new site office, as and when units are ready for connection.
For a unit to be ready for connection you will need to ensure that all duct has been laid and all boxes have been built as per the proposed layout. In addition, all flats will need to have been wired back to the planned Distribution Point location. We can then arrange for our engineers to visit the site and connect up the units.
To enable the future occupiers to place orders with their chosen Communications Providers easily, you must also ensure that you provide your local New Site office with the Council Addressing information, including plot to postal conversions as soon as they are available.
23 Once the units are connected, will the phones/internet work?
Although the physical Openreach telecommunications network will have been provided, there will be no service over that network. The future occupiers must place orders with their chosen communications provider (and should check with them about any connection and rental charges that may be applicable).
24 Do you provide extension wiring (i.e.: past the Network Terminating Point)?
We can arrange for one of our fully-trained specialists to visit your site, discuss your requirements, agree a specification and give you a written quotation for this work. We will then send you a written agreement setting out the terms upon which we will provide the service to you.
For more information, contact the nearest regional Openreach new sites office to your development using our map here.
25 I'm not happy with the support I'm getting - who do I contact?
If you would like to escalate an issue with the delivery of the Openreach Network to your development, or with our responsiveness to you, please email us at newsitesesc@openreach.co.uk, or ring us on 0800 917 8562, and choose option 1. The Local newsites team will then contact you within a working day to discuss and help resolve your issue. If, after your discussion with the local team you are still not satisfied, and would like to take your concern further, please contact us again on the above contact details, and this will be passed to our senior team, who will do our best to solve your problem.