BT Openreach FTTP on Demand: The Ultimate Guide for UK Businesses in 2025
May 2, 2025
The landscape of business connectivity in the UK has transformed dramatically, with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) on Demand emerging as a game-changing solution for forward-thinking companies. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about this service in 2025, from pricing and technical capabilities to real-world benefits for your business.
What is FTTP on Demand?
FTTP on Demand provides businesses with full-fibre connectivity, delivering unmatched speeds and reliability compared to traditional copper-based alternatives like FTTC or ADSL. Unlike standard broadband services, this technology brings fibre cables directly to your customer premises, enabling symmetrical speeds and future-proof connectivity that traditional broadband simply cannot match.
When standard FTTP isn't available in your area, FTTP on Demand (sometimes called FTTPod) allows businesses to request installation specifically for their location, though typically with different pricing structures than areas with existing FTTP networks.
Current Pricing Structure
Openreach has refined its FTTP on Demand pricing structure in 2025, with annual rental charges (excluding VAT) now spanning from £259.20 for entry-level service to £1,200.00 for premium symmetric connectivity:
115Mbps/20Mbps: £259.20
160Mbps/30Mbps: £317.28
220Mbps/30Mbps: £319.08
330Mbps/50Mbps: £364.32
550Mbps/75Mbps: £409.20
1000Mbps/115Mbps: £469.20
1200Mbps/120Mbps: £481.56
1800Mbps/120Mbps: £512.40
1000Mbps/1000Mbps: £1,200.00
Connection charges vary based on installation complexity:
Standard Connection: £122.84
Premium Connection: £152.84
Advanced Connection: £297.84
Additionally, businesses must consider potential build charges beyond the standard £615 exemption threshold. These build charges often represent the most significant cost factor when implementing FTTP on Demand, as they cover the expense of extending fibre infrastructure to your location from the nearest aggregation node.
Technical Capabilities: Breaking Speed Barriers
The FTTP on Demand service portfolio has expanded dramatically, offering businesses unprecedented connectivity options that far surpass what's possible with traditional copper-based services:
Standard Tiers
115Mbps/20Mbps: Ideal for small teams with basic connectivity needs
160Mbps/30Mbps: Supports small business standard operations
220Mbps/30Mbps: Enhanced capabilities for growing businesses
330Mbps/50Mbps: Solid performance for medium-sized operations
Advanced Tiers
550Mbps/75Mbps: Robust connectivity for medium to large businesses
1000Mbps/115Mbps: Enterprise-grade performance
1200Mbps/120Mbps: Advanced business requirements
1800Mbps/120Mbps: Premium connectivity for demanding applications
The most significant advancement is the introduction of symmetric 1Gbps service (1000Mbps/1000Mbps), offering equal download and upload speeds—perfect for businesses heavily invested in cloud computing, content creation, or video conferencing. This represents a major departure from asymmetric broadband speeds that typically prioritize download over upload capabilities.
Ready to transform your business connectivity? Request your personalized FTTP consultation today!
Nationwide Availability: The Expanding FTTP Landscape
The UK's FTTP coverage has reached impressive heights, now available to 77% of premises nationwide—a significant increase from 72.9% at the end of 2024. Openreach's "FTTP Priority Exchange Stop Sell" program continues to accelerate the transition from copper to fiber, with 163 additional exchange areas added in January 2025.
Regional growth hotspots include:
Charnwood (53.8% quarterly growth)
Eastleigh (53.3%)
Telford and Wrekin (51.8%)
Competition in the market has intensified, with 9.1 million premises now having access to two or more FTTP networks. Altnet providers continue to expand their rollout across key areas, creating more options for businesses seeking ultrafast connectivity.
For businesses in areas without standard FTTP availability, FTTP on Demand remains a strategic option to secure full-fiber connectivity. Using an availability checker to verify options at your postcode is the first step in determining whether standard FTTP or FTTP on Demand is appropriate for your location.
Provider Landscape: Finding Your Perfect Match
The FTTP on Demand market has matured significantly, with over 50 service providers (ISPs) now offering solutions across the UK. These include:
Tier 1 providers: BT Business, Plusnet Business
Specialist providers: Zen Internet, Cerberus Networks, Syscomm
Emerging providers: Amvia, Andrews & Arnold
Each provider offers unique combinations of:
Usage policies (capped vs. uncapped)
Contract terms (typically 12-36 months)
Service level agreements
Bundled services (voice, security, managed IT)
Varying lead times for installation
When evaluating providers, look beyond the headline broadband speeds. Consider factors like contention ratios (how many businesses share the same connection), guaranteed minimum download speeds, and the quality of Wi-Fi equipment provided.
Installation Process and Timeframes
The installation process for FTTP on Demand follows a structured approach that varies based on existing infrastructure:
Installation Categories:
0 Stage Install (1-3 working days): For premises with existing Optical Network Termination (ONT) units, requiring only remote port activation
1 Stage Install (9-18 working days): For premises requiring ONT installation but with nearby fibre cable infrastructure
2 Stage Install (variable timeframe): For premises requiring significant external work, including site survey and civil engineering
For complex FTTP on Demand installations requiring extensive infrastructure development, businesses should anticipate a minimum lead time of three months, with some installations taking considerably longer depending on the extent of civil works required.
Alternative Solutions Worth Considering
If FTTP on Demand doesn't align with your business needs or budget, several alternatives exist:
Leased Lines: Dedicated point-to-point fiber connections offering symmetric speeds with guaranteed SLAs, typically at higher cost points
G.fast: Where available, offers up to 330Mbps over existing copper infrastructure
Ethernet First Mile: Business-grade connectivity using aggregated copper pairs
Fixed Wireless Access: For locations where physical fiber deployment is prohibitively expensive
Enhanced 4G/5G Solutions: Business-grade cellular connectivity with appropriate traffic management
Each alternative offers different trade-offs between cost, reliability, performance, and deployment timeframes.
Real Business Impact: Success Stories
The transformative potential of FTTP on Demand is best illustrated through real-world examples:
Hospitality Transformation
A hotel chain implemented FTTP on Demand to modernize operations, resulting in enhanced guest experiences and streamlined management systems. Their previous copper-based connection struggled with multiple simultaneous users, whereas the fiber connection handles hundreds of concurrent connections effortlessly.
Innovation Hub Empowerment
A business innovation center reported "greater possibilities" for tenant businesses after deploying FTTP, providing the digital infrastructure necessary for cutting-edge ventures. Startups particularly benefited from the high upload speeds when demonstrating prototype software to investors.
Professional Services Evolution
A global coaching business based in Greater Manchester highlighted how FTTP enabled effective remote working practices, improving work-life balance while maintaining productivity. Their previous connection couldn't handle multiple video conferences simultaneously, a limitation completely eliminated with FTTP.
Small Business Efficiency
A web design company reported dramatically faster project turnaround times due to improved upload speeds, directly impacting business efficiency and client satisfaction. File transfers that previously took hours now complete in minutes.
Government Support and Future Outlook
The UK government continues to prioritize advanced connectivity through several key initiatives:
Project Gigabit: This £5 billion program targets hard-to-reach communities, aiming to achieve 99% nationwide coverage by 2030.
Copper to Fiber Transition: The complete retirement of traditional analogue voice networks is scheduled for January 31, 2027.
Rural Voucher Schemes: Businesses in eligible rural areas can access vouchers worth up to £3,500 to offset installation costs.
The future roadmap for UK FTTP services includes:
Openreach's commitment to delivering Full Fibre broadband to 25 million premises by December 2026
Introduction of more symmetric service options
Continued market competition driving innovation and potentially moderating pricing
Technological advancements beyond current 1.8Gbps maximums
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
When considering FTTP on Demand, businesses should:
Evaluate current and future bandwidth requirements
Compare providers beyond headline speeds, looking at contention ratios and guaranteed minimums
Consider installation timeframes (ranging from days to months depending on infrastructure)
Analyze all potential costs, including build charges for complex installations
Request a detailed site survey to understand any physical constraints
Conclusion
FTTP on Demand represents a critical connectivity solution for UK businesses in 2025, offering unprecedented speed and reliability. While standard FTTP coverage continues to expand rapidly, FTTP on Demand remains an important option for businesses seeking premium connectivity solutions, especially in areas still awaiting standard FTTP rollout.
With government support through Project Gigabit and continued private investment, the UK is making substantial progress toward nationwide gigabit-capable connectivity. For businesses, this translates to enhanced operational capabilities, improved customer experiences, and the foundation for digital transformation initiatives.
The question isn't whether your business will need full fibre connectivity, but when and how you'll implement it to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital marketplace.
