The process is like this:
- Developer builds new housing, installs ducting and pavement chambers etc. to Openreach spec from Openreach stores
- Openreach install cabling in duct and connect houses to telephone exchange via a new cabinet, existing cabinet with capacity, or direct to exchange
- Once the cabinet starts to fill up it will trigger a predetermined level at which point it will be scheduled for an FTTC upgrade
Unfortunately if you have an estate being built in phases it could take years before a threshold level is reached. There are
processes in place for getting the network build to happen at the same time as the houses themselves, and developers can go full FTTP if they want. The problem is that because it involves more than zero effort and there's no legal requirement for it, developers don't bother. Because houses are worth the market rate, and the market doesn't generally care about broadband connectivity.