How Long Does a Leased Line Take to Install?
A clear, direct answer to this question — written for UK business owners and IT decision-makers.
Direct Answer
A leased line takes 30–90 working days to install in the UK. Sites close to existing fibre infrastructure install faster; rural or complex sites requiring civil works take longer. AMVIA recommends ordering 90 days before you need the line live. The critical first step is a site survey and postcode check — this determines whether excess construction charges apply.
Key Points
What you need to know.
The Short Answer
Total FTTP coverage reached 79.5% of UK premises (approximately 26.7 million premises) in Q3 2025.
For UK Businesses
Gigabit-capable broadband now covers 87% of the UK, up from 84% in 2024 (Ofcom Connected Nations 2025).
Cost Considerations
Openreach is investing up to £15 billion to expand full fibre coverage to 25 million premises by December 2026.
Next Steps
Fixed leased line connections dominate the UK business internet market with a share exceeding 39%.
Quick Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
The installation involves a site survey, wayleave permissions if the fibre route crosses third-party land, civil engineering works to lay ducting, fibre splicing, and equipment commissioning. Each stage has its own lead time. Sites where fibre already reaches the building can be connected in as little as 30 working days, while new-build routes requiring road or pavement work can take 60–90 days or more.
Yes. Many businesses use a business-grade broadband or 4G/5G connection as interim connectivity during the leased line installation period. UK broadband average download speed is 69.4 Mbps (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024), which is adequate for most office tasks in the short term. AMVIA can provision a temporary connection and migrate your services to the leased line once installation completes.
Common delays include wayleave disputes with landlords or local authorities, unexpected underground obstructions during civil works, and survey findings that require route changes. Choosing a carrier with existing infrastructure near your premises significantly reduces the risk of delays. A leased line typically delivers 99.99% uptime SLA (industry standard), and the thorough installation process is what underpins that long-term reliability commitment.
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Get dedicated connectivity → Get a Leased Line Quote