Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Network access provider Openreach has decided to extend the ongoing UK pilot of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband lines for “Uninhabitable Locations” for a further 12-months (i.e. where the service is used to connect non-traditional end points such as CCTV cameras, bus shelter signs, EV charging points, lift lines etc.).
The pilot, which uses a “Ruggedised” Optical Network Terminal (ONT) for outdoor use (pictured above), originally began on 1st September 2024 (here) and was due to last for a year. Sites like those mentioned above might ordinarily be catered for by wireless solutions (e.g. 4G/5G small cells), but in some cases there may be a desire to use FTTP if the infrastructure is present nearby.
The pilot was intended to both confirm the viability of the new Uninhabitable Locations order journey with Ruggedised ONT and the estimated service costs. But Openreach has now extended this pilot to run for a further 12-months until 31st August 2026, although the operator added that it “may look to exit the pilot early” if it’s able to meet their objectives sooner (it’s unclear why the extension is necessary).
The only change this time around is that the one-off connection charge (inc. 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, and multiport ONT) for speeds of 1Gbps (220Mbps upload) and 500Mbps (165Mbps), currently at £1,030 excluding VAT, will be reduced to £650 from 1st September 2025, aligning it to the connection charge for other bandwidths (slower ties exist down to 0.5Mbps). The fairly high cost reflects the fact that this isn’t intended for the domestic market, and such installs may have unique considerations.
ISPreview previously suggested that there may be scenarios where complex home or office installs might also benefit from a Ruggedised ONT deployment, such as for certain exterior installations. Openreach last year informed us that they were open to considering this for the future, but at present the focus remains on connecting uninhabitable locations/sites.
Fixing an ONT to the exterior of a building or structure typically adds complications, not least because you now need to consider the need for running power cables outside and adding extra protection for that, as well as the splice point of the fibre cable etc.