Problems & fixes · Business internet
Why business internet installations run late and how to manage the timeline
Last updated 25 October 2026 · 1 source listed · Reading time about 3 minutes
Short answer
Delays come from survey findings, landlord and wayleave consents, civil works, equipment lead times and handover gaps. Order early, request a site survey, secure building permissions in parallel, ask for written milestones and plan an interim connection so that the business can operate while the permanent service is completed.
Who this is for: A business opening an office, moving premises or ordering a dedicated line who needs to avoid being without connectivity on day one.
What to evaluate
Site survey before commitment
A survey reveals whether ducts are blocked, whether new cable must be laid, and what it will cost.
How to check: Request a survey result in writing, including any excess construction charges and the expected lead time.
Landlord and building consent
Access agreements for cable routes and equipment rooms are a frequent source of delay, especially in multi-tenant buildings.
How to check: Contact the landlord early, identify who signs, and ask the provider what documents they need.
Civil works and permits
Digging in public ways or crossing private land requires permissions that take time.
How to check: Ask whether works are needed, who obtains permits, and what the realistic timeline is.
Milestone communication
Without milestones, you cannot judge whether a project is on track or when to activate contingency.
How to check: Request a plan with dates for survey, permits, build, equipment delivery and testing, and an owner for each step.
Interim connectivity
Waiting for a permanent line without a stopgap leaves the office offline.
How to check: Plan for temporary cellular or wireless access and check the allowances for the period you expect to rely on it.
Contract start and billing trigger
Some contracts begin charging on signature rather than on service delivery.
How to check: Confirm when the term and charges start and what happens if installation slips beyond a stated date.
Acceptance testing
A line that is physically installed may not meet performance expectations, and acceptance determines when the SLA clock begins.
How to check: Ask what tests are performed at handover and what happens if they fail.
Comparison
| Cause | How it appears | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked or missing ducting | Survey finds no route into the building | Order a survey early and agree on build responsibility. |
| Landlord consent delays | Provider waits for signed access documents | Open the conversation with the landlord before ordering. |
| Permit processing | Works cannot begin until approval arrives | Ask for a permit timeline and plan interim service. |
| Equipment shortage | Hardware shipment is late | Request a delivery date and have a contingency plan. |
| Handover errors | Line is installed but fails acceptance | Agree test criteria in advance and keep records. |
Decision worksheet
Rate up to three options against this guide’s own criteria. It runs in your browser and saves only on this device. It is a thinking aid, not a recommendation.
1. Have you checked each criterion?
0 of 7 criteria checked.
2. Compare options (0 = fails or unknown, 3 = meets it well)
| Criterion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Site survey before commitment | |||
| Landlord and building consent | |||
| Civil works and permits | |||
| Milestone communication | |||
| Interim connectivity | |||
| Contract start and billing trigger | |||
| Acceptance testing | |||
| Total (max 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Questions to ask before you commit
- Can you complete a site survey before I sign, and will you share the findings in writing?
- What excess construction charges could apply and who approves them?
- What documents are needed from my landlord and how long do they take?
- Do the works need permits and who applies for them?
- What are the milestone dates and how will you notify me of slippage?
- When does my contract term and billing start?
- Do you offer a temporary connection while the permanent service is installed?
- What acceptance tests do you run and what happens if they fail?
Typical trade-offs
Order before the survey or wait for results
- Upside
- Ordering early secures a place in the queue.
- Downside
- You may commit before knowing the true cost and timeline.
Rely on interim cellular service or delay opening
- Upside
- A stopgap keeps the business running.
- Downside
- Capacity and allowance limits can frustrate heavy users.
Choose a provider with existing infrastructure or a better price
- Upside
- Existing infrastructure shortens lead time and reduces build risk.
- Downside
- It may not be the cheapest or most flexible supplier.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the order until the move date is close.
- Failing to involve the landlord until the provider asks.
- Accepting the first date quoted as a commitment when it is an estimate.
- Starting the contract clock before service is delivered.
- Having no interim plan and discovering a week of lost connectivity.
Related questions
How early should I order business internet for a move?
Dedicated lines can take a long time because of surveys, consents and construction, so order as soon as you are confident of the address, well before the move date. Shared broadband is typically faster but can still be delayed. Ask the provider to explain the stages and give a realistic range, and plan a temporary connection to cover the gap.
What is a wayleave?
A wayleave is a permission from a landowner allowing a provider to install and maintain cabling or equipment across or on their property. In multi-tenant buildings, the landlord or managing agent often must grant it. Delays in agreeing wayleave terms are a common cause of installation slippage, so approach the owner early and ask what the provider needs signed.
Can I get compensation if installation is late?
It depends on the contract. Some agreements include commitments on delivery dates with credits for delay, while others treat dates as estimates. Read the delivery terms before signing and ask whether the provider offers any remedy for missed dates. If none exists, interim connectivity and negotiation of start-of-billing terms are the main protection.
What should I use for internet while waiting?
Cellular routers or mobile hotspots are the usual stopgap, provided signal at the site is adequate. Check data allowances and whether tethering is permitted on the plan. For heavier needs, a short-term wireless service might be available. Keep the interim arrangement flexible so you can end it as soon as the permanent service is accepted.
What happens at handover?
The provider typically tests the line, confirms that equipment is operating and records the results. This is when you should verify the contracted capacity, test voice and critical applications, and ask for documentation. Acceptance often starts the contract and SLA, so do not sign off if performance is not as ordered. Record issues and agree a plan for fixes.
Sources and further reading
These pages were reachable when we last checked. They informed definitions and rules referred to above; they do not endorse this guide. Where rules differ by country, check the authority for your location.
- Consumer help center — Federal Communications Commission, retrieved 27 October 2026
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