Anna Tims 

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

Its ‘fibre checker’ tool confirmed I could have a connection, but a month later it changed its mind
  
  

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.”

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