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Business Broadband Installation Lead Times and How to Plan Around Them

New sites get caught out by connectivity lead times more than any other utility. Here are realistic timelines.

8 July 2026 5 min read

Typical timelines

Standard FTTC or FTTP where infrastructure already exists is usually two to four weeks. A leased line requiring civil works can take 60 to 120 working days. Those are very different planning horizons.

Order at heads of terms, not at fit-out

The single most effective step is ordering connectivity as soon as the lease is agreed, not when the builders leave. It is the longest lead item in most fit-outs and the one most often started last.

Bridge the gap

A 4G/5G router keeps you trading while a permanent circuit is built. Budget for it upfront rather than scrambling in week one of trading.

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