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A guide to business broadband installations
Installing a new business broadband connection can be as simple as plugging in a router or as complex as scheduling engineering work at your property.
But don’t fret; business broadband providers have become adept at installing different types of business broadband with little trouble, and the hassle is well worth it once you experience the performance of your upgraded connection.
This article explains the different types of installation, their expected timeframes, engineering works required and the installation process your business should expect.
Contents:
How long does a business broadband installation take?
A business broadband installation can be as simple as setting up a mobile broadband router you received by post or can involve all-out engineering works at your property.
The complexity of a business broadband installation is principally determined by the type of connection.
For example, installing a leased line on your premises will give you the most robust, scalable connection but will require engineers to dig micro-trenches on your lawn and drill holes in your property’s walls.
While installation usually takes less than a day, this process can take weeks, from signing your contract to your new connection going live.
Here is a summary table of the installation process and timeframe for each available broadband technology:
| Technology | Installation Process | Typical Timeframe (Signing contract to Go-live) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G business broadband | Typically no engineer visit required; just setting up a mobile router or dongle. Quick activation process. | 1-3 days |
| Satellite | DIY installation of a satellite dish on-site or sometimes by an engineer, along with modem setup and signal testing. | 1-2 weeks |
| SoGEA | If upgrading from ADSL or similar, an engineer installs a modem and router, tests the line, and configures the service. | 1-2 weeks |
| Full Fibre | Typically requires a new fibre line installation and an on-site visit to set up an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and router. | 1-3 days (With ONT) 2-3 weeks (Install ONT) |
| Leased line | Requires a dedicated line installation, usually involving a site survey, potential groundwork, and significant setup. Engineer visits for installation and testing. | 1-3 months |
Enterprise business broadband installations
If you’re an enterprise or your business operates a large site, you’re likely getting a customised business broadband solution that includes features like:
- SD-WAN for multi-premise network management.
- 5G Private Network for large sites like factories and warehouses.
- A VoIP phone system for support centres.
Given the extra requirements, these setups take longer than traditional installations for small business broadband.
Business broadband installation process
Since mobile and satellite broadband installations are so simple, this guide only includes information on fixed-line upgrades to full fibre and leased line business broadband.
💡If you are keeping your current connection type but changing supplier a new installation will typically not be required. Visit our article on switching business broadband providers to understand the process.
1. Signing a contract and scheduling
The installation begins once you’ve signed a new business broadband contract.
You will immediately be given access to your provider’s online portal, where you can begin your journey with a phone or online assessment of your current hardware and infrastructure.
You will then be able to schedule any necessary site visits from network access engineers who will assess the work that needs to be done on your property.
2. Initial assessment and site survey
Network access engineers from Openreach, Virgin or KCOM will come to your property for an initial assessment and site survey at the request of your broadband provider.
The visit aims to determine how best to lay out the fibre cables and other infrastructure. It may take as little as an hour for small businesses to a whole day for larger sites or complex works.
A site manager is required to provide information on hidden utilities and help engineers access hard-to-access areas of your property.
Some things they will look at include:
- Distance of fibre to be laid out.
- Routing of the fibre optic cables and siting of key equipment like junction boxes.
- Determine optimal modem/router(s) placement.
- Identify access restrictions and hazards.
- Plan resources and equipment for the job.
- Ensure the business has permission from property owners to do planned work.
3. Installing the fibre optic cables
Engineers usually contact you on the day to let you know when to expect them.
Clearing enough space for them to work is usually good practice, and a decision-maker from your business would need to be available for key decisions such as digging trenches, drilling holes, etc.
A full fibre business broadband installation typically requires laying a fibre optic cable connecting the nearest exchange to your new property.
In towns and cities, roads typically already have ducts that house other cables; these will be used to install fibre optic broadband cables.
Once on your property, engineers will typically use non-invasive micro-trenching to cause minimal disruption.
The laid fibre optic cables will terminate at an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), usually housed inside a junction box installed outside your premises.
This device converts optical to electrical signals used by your modem and router.
Your business broadband provider usually supplies the router and modem separately. Once plugged in, these devices are activated remotely to finish setting up the network.
4. Installation testing and feedback
The final step involves monitoring the installed connection.
This is usually as simple as doing a broadband speed test to confirm that the installation has been successful and that the connection conforms to the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
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