The vast majority of UK homes are still connected to an old-fashioned internet infrastructure, originally designed for telephones. This means that fibre optic cable is used to the cabinet on the street, but copper cable is used between the street cabinet and the home, called FTTC or ‘Fibre to the Cabinet’.

Today, homes need a much faster movement of data up and down the network. The only way to get this is with a dedicated fibre optic cable to the cabinet, and from the cabinet direct to the home, called FTTP or ‘Fibre to the Premises’. That’s where we come in!

As a result of this demand for faster and more reliable internet, we are working with a third-party contractor,  installing the latest Full Fibre technology. Once installed, our sister company Grain Connect can give you access to a gigabit capable network, and a better choice for your broadband service!

We carry out a door knock and leaflet drop prior to work commencing on your street. We also put up lamppost signage advising you and others in the community that work will be starting soon. We aim to speak to as many residents as possible face to face, but in case we can’t, all of our communications contain a QR code that takes you to this webpage, where you can access estimated dates and helpful FAQs about the work being carried out by Grain Communications and the contractor.

See the ‘Coming soon’ leaflet, here.

Closer to the time, the contractor might also post a letter to your street. They aim to minimise any disruption to you and your neighbours, but thank you for your patience.

Read the information in a number of different languages, here.

When work is due to start on your street, our third party contractor will carry out the dig on a street-by-street basis by way of traditional trenching, reinstating as they go and checking the works to ensure all statutory requirements are met. Safety barriers and signage will also be put up in the local area. We do not use any poles as part of the Grain network.

From the date the contractor begins work on your street, the permits obtained to carry out the work typically last between 10 and 20 working days per street. As a result, they aim to complete all digging and reinstatement work within this timeframe.

Delays to the work are rare, however as they work with third parties and complete this work outdoors, there are external factors outside of their control that may cause delays to the work being complete on time. In these instances, the Local Authorities may grant an extension to be able to complete the work on your street and the contractor aims to do this as efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

Local Authorities conduct site visits on a regular basis in order to check the work is being completed in line with statutory requirements, safety barriers and signage are in place and the work is being completed to a quality standard. Any work which does not meet their standards will be rectified before the project is signed off as complete.

In this day and age, as we rely on mobile phones, tablets, games consoles, Smart TVs and Smart Home devices more than ever, only Full Fibre direct to the home will do! You might be in a contract with a provider offering an older slower service, so our service can help you access Full Fibre.

Not to mention, having a Full Fibre connected property increases the value of your home. So, what’s not to love? With many broadband providers enforcing mid-contract inflationary price rises (around 14% price rise in 2023), our sister company Grain Connect pledges NEVER to increase your price mid-contract. So not only are our prices extremely competitive, but you can also rest assured that the price you sign up for is the price you pay.

We understand that on-street public parking on the public highway is already at a premium. On occasion, the contractor may ask that cars parked in public areas are moved temporarily to allow them access to these public areas. The Local Authorities allow them to work on one side of the street at a time, so that both sides of the road are not restricted in terms of parking, and there are always some spaces available. As always, they aim to complete the work as quickly as possible to limit any parking restrictions and minimise disruption. By moving your vehicle, this will help them to move past your home as quickly as possible.

If they have not been able to speak to you to ask you to move a vehicle to enable the works, and your later need them to temporarily move the barriers, please speak to a member of the contractor team working on your street.

Our contractors aim to work in a clean and tidy way, clearing up any mess as they go. As you will appreciate, depending on the time of year, it can be difficult to control, especially with vehicles still using the street, and vehicles parked on the public roads and footpaths. Please rest assured that the team will undertake as much cleaning as they are able to, once the main works and the pavement reinstatement are complete. However, as you will understand, our contractors cannot be held liable for any dirt which residents carry into their homes on their footwear, or for any dirt on vehicles which are parked on the public footpath or public highway.

If the barriers have been knocked or blown over due to adverse weather conditions, please get in touch and inform the team as soon as possible. When informed, we will be able to contact the third party contractors in the area on your behalf, who will promptly visit site and replace the barriers.

While the permit is still open and the clean-up and reinstatement process is ongoing, some materials may be left on the street. You can check the permit open and closing dates to understand if this is the case on your street.

If you have any feedback about the work in your area or would like to make a complaint, please click below and provide more details. Please try to provide photos and facts such as dates and times where possible, as this can greatly speed up the process of investigating the issue with our third-party contractor. All works are carried out by independent contractors, who are fully responsible for the works and for any damage which may be caused as a result.  Upon receiving the below form and the relevant information, Grain can facilitate an investigation with the third-party contractors and provide an update for you as soon as possible.

Please read our policy to see how we deal with complaints should they arise.

Your current broadband connection should not be disrupted as the contractor is installing Grain’s own independent infrastructure, separate to other providers already in the area. If any of your current utilities have been disrupted or damaged during the dig on your street, such as your gas, water or current broadband provider, please get in touch with the relevant provider to make sure the disruption is not an issue on their end. The utility provider will need to resolve any issue you report, as a third-party cannot resolve an issue on their network. If they need to speak to the contractors responsible, they will do so directly.

If the Toby Box (the small black box on your pavement) has been damaged or left open, please get in touch and inform the team as soon as possible. We will be able to contact the third-party contractors in the area on your behalf, who will promptly visit site and repair the Toby Box.