Getting hooked up to the internet is a lot easier than it used to be. With network infrastructure growing all the time, connecting your home to the world wide web is often a relatively straightforward process.
However, there are certain situations where installation is required, and as it’s less common these days, people often don’t know what it entails. Fortunately, that’s why we’re here, with our comprehensive guide on broadband installation.
There’s a good chance that you will be able to handle the installation yourself. It all comes down to which provider you choose to go with, what kind of package you opted for, and what connections your home has already.
For example, if, your house was previously serviced by BT and you’re swapping to a company that uses BT’s network – such as TalkTalk – you will be able to set it up yourself. If, however, you decide to swap to Virgin Media, then installation will be required. Luckily, this isn’t something you need to figure out on your own, as your ISP will be able to help you out.
The only time this is not the case is if you are opting for a fibre optic connection for the first time in your property’s history. In this instance, you will need installation even if you are staying with the same provider.
The process varies depending on whether you are going for BT or an Openreach provider, or Virgin Media.
The vast majority of broadband providers in the UK use Openreach’s network of underground cables, previously owned by BT, to deliver internet to your home.
If the connection already exists then you will be sent a router that can plug into the master phone socket. All you need to do then is wait for it to start working. If you run into difficulty, you will be able to give your supplier a call for help.
Fortunately, even if an engineer needs to come out, getting set up with BT/Openreach broadband is a thankfully simple process, involving almost no effort on your part:
Setup will depend on which provider you are with and whether or not you need to have a phone line installed. Those opting for more expensive packages will generally get installation for free, although this isn’t always a given. With certain providers, you may expect to pay up to £30 for installation.
From when you’ve signed up, you should expect a visit from a technician within 14 days if you have a landline, and 21 days if you don’t. Once they’ve arrived, the actual work shouldn’t take more than a few hours.
As Virgin Media uses its own infrastructure to hook you up to the internet, completely separate from the Openreach network, the process for installing your broadband is slightly different.
If you’re setting up your own broadband connection with Virgin Media, you can do so with Virgin QuickStart. This involves Virgin sending you a box containing all the necessary bits of kit, and access to an app that walks you through every step of the way. If you can do it this way, you can get hooked up in as little as four days from signing the contract.
Fortunately, if you need it to be professionally installed, it’s a very straightforward process:
Generally, you won’t have to pay anything aside from an initial activation fee of £20, although many of their packages don’t include this as part of the deal. Some TV bundles may also come with a setup fee, but again, this will depend on what you opt for.
You should be able to get a technician out within 14 days of signing a contract – this doesn’t change depending on whether or not you have a phone line installed.
As we mentioned earlier, if you’re upgrading to a full-fibre connection, then you will need to have an engineer come and install it. This will involve them running a cable from the access point on the pavement, into your home. For all intents and purposes, it will run the same as a normal broadband setup, but at the end of it all, you’ll have lightspeed internet.
One final thing to bear in mind is that while an engineer is installing your broadband, they will need to switch the internet off. As this can take a few hours, you will need to make alternative arrangements during that time if you need to be connected.