Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Network access provider Openreach (BT) caught our eye this week, which came after several of ISPreview’s industry sources notified us that the operator had “implemented a nationwide change” on 1st June 2025 that affected how SOGEA (FTTC etc.) and FTTP broadband services are provisioned for UK business premises.
In short, internet providers (ISP) could previously place a related broadband order that allowed them to choose between three Site Visit Reasons (SVR) for customer installation: Standard, Premium and Advanced. In simple terms, more demanding installations usually require Premium or Advanced, which are more expensive than a Standard install due to the extra tests and work involved (i.e. going beyond what a typical user may need).
At wholesale rates, the cost of a Standard one-off FTTP installation is, for example, typically £122.84 +vat, with Premium being £152.84 and Advanced rising to £297.84. Naturally, the prices that retail ISPs charge for this will vary, and special offers may also reduce or remove the prices in certain circumstances.
However, as of 1st June 2025, Openreach recently notified ISPs that “standard installations will no longer be applicable for business addresses“, which means that the minimum required level now defaults to their more expensive ‘Premium’ option (or ‘Advanced’ for more complex sites). This change has been in the works for a while, albeit slipping under our radar somewhat.
The classification of whether an address is for a specific type of ‘business’, or not, is determined automatically by Openreach using address data sourced from the National Ordnance Survey. So it looks like businesses may now have to pay a bit extra to get an FTTC or FTTP broadband line installed, but there is some method in the madness here.
According to some of our sources, the hope is that this new approach will reduce the need for second engineer visits, which occurred quite a bit with Standard installs because the engineers would often turn up and find more complex business premises (often requiring a second visit to complete as the work fell outside the scope of a Standard install). The result was often felt in terms of delays and additional charges.
The new approach should reduce such issues, and it’s possible that residential installs may indirectly benefit too, since engineers may now have more flexibility to complete larger jobs within the Standard scope (yet to be proven). On the flip side, we’ve also spoken to some providers that were completely unaware of the new approach.
UPDATE 2:44pm
Openreach has kindly clarified that the ‘Standard’ install option is still technically available as the default for smaller home based business premises (this covers sole trader/small businesses working from their homes, as well as residential). Meanwhile, commercial and non-residential classified premises map to the SVR that Openreach believe is best suited, and their only choice is to upgrade from the minimum assignment (e.g. Premium), but they can’t drop down an install level.
A Spokesperson for Openreach told ISPreview:
“The change is just about making sure we can provide the right customer experience for businesses and being able to send the right engineer with the right skills. We’ve basically made Premium the default for business premises to try and correct an issue for both us and CPs where, historically, some have chosen the cheapest (Standard) option – even for major complex sites. This can mean an engineer turning up and not being able to complete the job in the standard slot time – which isn’t a good experience for anyone.”