Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Anna Tims

Openreach said yes to full fibre broadband, then branded it ‘uneconomical’

Openreach confirmed full fibre was ‘here’ … only it wasn’t.
Openreach confirmed full fibre was ‘here’ – then changed its mind. Photograph: Mark Richardson/Alamy

My internet provider informed me by email that full fibre broadband had become available for my property, confirmed by Openreach’s “fibre checker” tool.

After a month, Openreach declared the connection uneconomical due to blockages in the conduits below the road.

I can’t change provider as it claims my property is connectable, so ISPs will only quote for full fibre.

JN, Teignmouth, Devon

Openreach miraculously found a solution after I raised the issue.

It said commercial factors may delay an upgrade if infrastructure is inadequate. It added that its online checker is only “an indicator “of a fibre connection” not a guarantee.

“We’ve taken a detailed look at what’s needed to connect JN’s home and found a way to get it done,” it said.

“Sometimes we find unexpected problems when we come to build the final connection. These cases are rare, and when they happen, we work hard to fix them, but we’re sorry that we can’t always do that.”

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.