Engineer installing full fibre FTTP cables on a street pole with text ‘From the street to your sofa, that’s FTTP’ – illustrating how full fibre broadband is installed from the street directly into UK homes.

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How is Full Fibre Broadband (FTTP) Installed?

Sep 19, 2025

Reading time: 6 minutes

You have found out full fibre broadband is available at your address and signed up… now what? If you are wondering what happens next, here is exactly what to expect once you have purchased a full fibre broadband plan from Fusion Fibre Group.

This step-by-step guide covers the entire FTTP installation process, from the street to your home, so you know exactly what will happen on the day of your appointment.

What is Full Fibre Broadband?

Full fibre broadband, also known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), is an ultrafast internet connection that runs a dedicated fibre optic cable directly from the street to your property. With speeds of up to 900 Mbps, improved reliability, and a future-proof connection for streaming, online gaming, remote working, and smart home devices, full fibre broadband is the gold standard of home broadband in the UK.

To learn more about the benefits and how it works, read our guide: What is Full Fibre Broadband and Why is Everyone Switching?.

Do You Need an Engineer to Install Full Fibre Broadband?

In many cases, yes, you will need an engineer to install full fibre broadband at your address, especially if you are upgrading from part fibre (FTTC) or ADSL.

Unlike standard copper-based broadband, full fibre requires a brand-new fibre optic cable to be connected directly to your home. This one-time setup ensures you can benefit from ultrafast speeds and maximum reliability.

If your property already has an active Optical Network Terminal (ONT), installation might not be necessary, as activation can sometimes be completed remotely, you may only need to plug in your router.

What Happens During a Full Fibre Broadband Installation?

There are three main steps to a full fibre broadband installation:

1. External Fibre Connection to Your Home

A trained broadband engineer will bring a fibre optic cable from the nearest network point, which could either be an underground chamber or a pole, to the outside of your home.

- Mounting a cable neatly along the wall

- A small amount of digging if your connection is underground

- Installing an external junction box to protect the cable

All work is carefully carried out to minimise disruption.

2. Internal Fibre Installation and ONT Setup

Once the cable reaches your home, the engineer will:

- Drill a small, tidy hole through an exterior wall

- Feed the fibre cable indoors

- Install an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), a small device that converts the light signals from the fibre cable into data your router can use

The ONT is usually placed near a power socket and close to where your router will be located. Learn more about where you should place your Wi-Fi router for maximum speed and coverage.

3. Router Connection and Speed Testing

The engineer will connect your router to the ONT and configure it for your new ultrafast broadband. They will then run tests to check:

- Connection stability

- Speed performance

- Device connectivity

Once everything is set up, you will be ready to enjoy your ultrafast full fibre broadband.

How Long Does Full Fibre Installation Take?

For most properties, full fibre installation takes between 1 and 3 hours. You will need to be home for the appointment. More complex setups may take slightly longer, depending on property layout and cable routing.