- FTTP runs fibre optic cable all the way from the exchange into the home, with no copper in the connection.
- Inside the home, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) converts the light signal into a data connection for the router.
- Openreach builds full fibre through its Fibre First programme, and Ofcom Connected Nations reports track the rising coverage.
- FTTP commonly offers download speeds from 100 Mbit/s up to 1 Gbit/s or more, with some providers offering symmetric speeds.
- Gigabit-capable coverage is a central target of the government Project Gigabit programme delivered through Building Digital UK.
FTTP is full fibre broadband, with fibre running all the way into the home and an ONT converting the signal for the router. It offers far higher and more consistent speeds than part-fibre FTTC.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What FTTP means
FTTP stands for fibre to the premises, and it is what most providers mean by full fibre. Unlike FTTC, which uses copper for the final stretch, FTTP runs fibre optic cable the entire way from the exchange into the home. Because data travels as pulses of light through glass rather than as an electrical signal through copper, the connection avoids the distance penalty and interference that limit copper-based services.
The result is a connection that is both faster and more consistent. Speeds do not fall away with distance in the way copper speeds do, and the line is far less affected by electrical noise, weather or ageing wiring. This is why full fibre is the technology underpinning the UK move towards gigabit-capable broadband.
What an ONT is and how it works
Inside a full fibre home there is a small box called an Optical Network Terminal, usually shortened to ONT. The fibre cable from the street terminates at the ONT, which converts the incoming light signal into a standard data connection that the router can use. The router then plugs into the ONT, typically with an Ethernet cable, and shares the connection around the home over WiFi and wired ports.
The ONT replaces the role that the master telephone socket and modem played on older connections. It is powered from the mains, which is one reason that, unlike the old analogue phone line, full fibre voice and broadband can stop working in a power cut unless a battery backup is provided.
| Speed tier | Typical download | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Entry full fibre | Around 100 to 150 Mbit/s | Couples and small households, HD and 4K streaming |
| Mid full fibre | Around 300 to 500 Mbit/s | Families with several simultaneous users and home working |
| Gigabit | Around 900 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s | Heavy multi-user homes, large uploads, many connected devices |
| Symmetric options | Matching upload and download | Frequent large file uploads, video production, remote backup |
How FTTP is installed
Installation usually involves an engineer visit. Fibre is brought from the nearest connection point to the outside of the property, then routed inside to a small wall-mounted box. The ONT is fitted indoors near a power socket and a convenient spot for the router. Where fibre has already been built past the property during a rollout, the in-home work is the main remaining step. Exact arrangements vary depending on whether the home is a house or a flat, and on the route the fibre must take.
FTTP speeds and use cases
Full fibre is offered in a range of tiers. Entry packages often start around 100 Mbit/s, with higher tiers reaching several hundred megabits and gigabit options offering 1,000 Mbit/s or more. Some providers offer symmetric speeds, where upload matches download, which is valuable for video calling, cloud backup, large file uploads and home working. For most households the practical benefit is the ability to support many simultaneous users and devices without slowdown at peak times.
How FTTP differs from FTTC
The defining difference is that FTTC keeps a copper section between the street cabinet and the home, while FTTP is fibre end to end. That single change removes the distance sensitivity, raises the ceiling on speed from around 80 Mbit/s to a gigabit or more, and improves reliability. Both are sometimes marketed using the word fibre, so it is worth confirming whether a product is full fibre (FTTP) or part fibre (FTTC).
Checking full fibre availability
Whether FTTP is available depends on whether a network has built fibre to the address. Openreach and Ofcom both provide checkers that return the technologies available at a postcode or full address. Because several networks may build in the same area, including independent altnets and Virgin Media, more than one full fibre option may exist at a given address.
Reliability, power cuts and battery backup
Full fibre is generally more reliable than copper because it does not suffer from the corrosion, water ingress and electrical interference that affect ageing copper lines. There is, however, one practical difference worth planning for. The old analogue phone line drew power from the exchange and could work during a local power cut. Full fibre relies on the mains-powered ONT and router inside the home, so if the power goes off, the connection and any digital voice service stop unless a battery backup unit is in place. Providers offer battery backup for customers who depend on a phone line, including those identified as vulnerable.
This matters most for anyone who relies on a landline for personal alarms or emergency calls. It is sensible to confirm what backup is available before moving to a full fibre voice service, and to keep a charged mobile phone as an additional safeguard during outages.
Why full fibre is the long-term direction
Openreach and a range of independent networks are investing heavily in full fibre, and government policy through Project Gigabit supports its reach into areas that commercial builders would not cover alone. As copper-based products are retired and the analogue telephone network is withdrawn, full fibre is set to become the standard fixed connection for most UK homes. Understanding how it works, and the small differences such as the ONT and power dependence, makes the transition easier to plan for.
One further point often raised is whether full fibre is worth taking before a household feels limited by its current connection. The case rests less on chasing the highest possible number and more on headroom and consistency. A full fibre line copes far better when several people stream, call and back up at the same time, and its higher upload tiers ease the activities that copper handles poorly. Because the connection is future-proofed against the retirement of copper, moving to it when available avoids a forced migration later and removes the distance and interference issues that limit older lines, even for households whose current speed feels adequate today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ONT?
An ONT, or Optical Network Terminal, is the box inside a full fibre home where the fibre cable terminates. It converts the incoming light signal into a standard data connection that the router plugs into. It is mains-powered, so full fibre can stop working in a power cut unless a battery backup is fitted.
How is FTTP installed?
An engineer usually brings fibre from the nearest connection point to the outside of the property, routes it indoors, and fits an ONT near a power socket. The router then plugs into the ONT. Where fibre has already been built past the home, the in-home work is the main remaining step.
Is FTTP the same as gigabit broadband?
Full fibre is the technology that makes gigabit speeds possible, but not every FTTP package is a gigabit package. FTTP is offered in tiers, from around 100 Mbit/s up to 1 Gbit/s or more. A gigabit package is the top tier of what full fibre can deliver.
How do I check if FTTP is available at my address?
Openreach and Ofcom both provide availability checkers that return the technologies serving a postcode or full address. Because several networks can build in one area, more than one full fibre option may be available at the same address.
What is the difference between FTTP and FTTC?
FTTP runs fibre all the way into the home, while FTTC uses fibre to the street cabinet and copper for the final stretch. FTTP offers higher and more consistent speeds, often up to a gigabit, and is not affected by distance from the cabinet in the way FTTC is. Both are sometimes advertised using the word fibre, so it helps to confirm whether a product is full fibre or part fibre before signing up.
