What to Expect With Your Leased Line Installations

When upgrading to a leased line for your business, you are investing in fast, reliable, dedicated internet connectivity. But while the benefits are clear—symmetrical speeds, guaranteed uptime, and business-grade performance—the installation process can feel less straightforward.

If you’re wondering what happens after you sign your contract, how long it takes, or how to avoid unexpected delays, you’re in the right place!

We’ll walk you through the UK’s step-by-step leased line installation process. From site surveys and engineer visits to what you can do in advance to speed things up, here’s everything UK businesses need to know before installation day.

Our Step-by-Step: Leased Line Installation Process in the UK

✅ 1. Place your initial order and site check

Once you’ve chosen your leased line provider and agreed on a contract, the process usually begins with a desktop survey which allows your provider to check whether there is existing fibre infrastructure near your building.

Here, the provider should assess:

• How close your premises are to the fibre network
• Whether new cabling or wayleaves are needed
• Potential construction or access challenges

📌 Remember that if your premises are already fibre-ready, installation could be quicker and cheaper.

✅ 2. Site survey/engineer visit

Next comes the on-site survey and an engineer will visit your location to:

• Confirm the route from the network to your premises
• Check for any obstructions (e.g. roads, walls, private land)
• Evaluate where the equipment (e.g. termination point/router) will be installed

If your property is in a shared building or managed site, this may involve your landlord or facilities manager, and in some cases, wayleave agreements (legal permissions to access land or buildings) may be needed—this is a common cause of delay.

�� If you start early conversations with your landlord if renting commercial premises.

✅ 3. Network build and cabling

If no major issues are found in your site survey, your provider will schedule the installation of fibre cabling from the network to your premises,which usually involves:

• Underground trenching
• Overhead cabling
• Connecting via existing ducting, if available

This is known to be the most time-consuming part of the process, especially if it involves roadworks or permission from local authorities.

✅ 4. Installation and testing

Once the cabling is complete, your provider will schedule a final engineer visit to:

• Install termination equipment and router
• Configure your leased line connection
• Test the line for speed, stability, and latency
• Activate your service and issue your static IPs

You’ll receive confirmation that your leased line is live and ready. Some providers offer a backup broadband line to keep you connected during installation.

📅 How Long Does Leased Line Installation Take?

The full process typically takes 30–90 working days, depending on the complexity of your location and any legal or construction delays.

🧾 Common Installation Delays and How to Avoid Them

1. Wayleave issues
   • 🔧 Solution: Speak to your landlord/property manager early
2. Roadworks or local council permissions
   • 🔧 Solution: Choose a provider experienced in your area with Openreach relationships
3. Incorrect contact details or point of access
   • 🔧 Solution: Provide clear access instructions and an on-site contact
4. Changes in your building layout or IT requirements mid-project
   • 🔧 Solution: you should finalise all internal IT setup needs before installation begins

🛠️ What to Prepare Before Installation

To ensure a smooth setup you should remember to:

• Nominate a contact who will be on-site for engineer visits
• Ensure access to all required areas (comms rooms, external walls, power points)
• Check your router compatibility if using your hardware
• Arrange a backup connection if you need zero downtime

Why We Think You Should You Be Prepared

A leased line is a major upgrade for your business—offering guaranteed speeds, reliability, and peace of mind, but the installation can take time, especially if wayleaves or construction work is involved.

By knowing what to expect and working proactively with your provider, you can significantly reduce any potential delays and get your business connected much faster.