Fibre connectivity is now an important consideration for commercial landlords, developers and asset managers. However, having fibre available at a building does not necessarily mean tenants can connect to the internet as soon as they move in.
The difference comes down to how far the infrastructure extends into the property and what is already in place when a tenant takes possession of their space.
Understanding the difference between fibre to the building and fibre to the tenant can help property teams plan their infrastructure more effectively and avoid unnecessary installation work later.
What Is Fibre to the Building?
Fibre to the building refers to a connection where fibre-optic cabling reaches a building, usually terminating in a communications room or another central point.
From there, the connection needs to be distributed throughout the property. Depending on the building’s design, this may involve additional fibre cabling, Ethernet or other internal network infrastructure.
For a commercial office building, this could mean that fibre is available in the main communications room, but further work is needed before an individual tenant can use it.
The building has a connection, but the infrastructure required to serve each floor or suite may still need attention. The amount of work involved depends on how the network was designed and installed.
What Is Fibre to the Tenant?
Fibre to the tenant describes an arrangement where fibre infrastructure extends to an agreed connection point within an individual tenant’s premises.
This can make it easier to provide connectivity when a business moves into a new office, particularly if the internal cabling has already been installed and tested.
There is an important distinction, though. Having fibre at the tenant’s premises does not necessarily mean an internet service is active. The tenant may still need to choose a provider, order a package and arrange activation.
Where the building has been designed with tenant-level connectivity in mind, much of the physical installation work can be completed in advance. This can reduce delays and make the move-in process more straightforward.
Fibre to the Building vs Fibre to the Tenant
The main difference is where the fibre connection ends and how much work remains before an individual tenant can use it.
| Fibre to the building | Fibre to the tenant | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the fibre reaches | A central point within the building | An agreed connection point within the tenant’s premises |
| Internal cabling | Further distribution may be required | Tenant-level cabling is already in place |
| Connecting a new tenant | May require additional installation work | Can be quicker if the required infrastructure is ready |
| Choice of internet provider | Depends on the networks and services available | Also depends on the networks and services available |
| Move-in preparation | Further work may be needed | More of the physical infrastructure can be ready in advance |
These terms can be used differently across the telecommunications industry, so it is worth confirming exactly what a provider means when describing its service.
For landlords, the practical question is whether the building’s infrastructure can deliver connectivity to the tenant’s space without unnecessary additional work.
Why Does This Matter for Commercial Property?
Making it easier for tenants to move in
Businesses expect reliable internet access as part of their working environment. If the building’s fibre connection stops at a central communications room, a tenant may need to wait for additional cabling, provider visits or installation work before getting connected.
Installing the necessary infrastructure in advance can make the process easier. A Plug & Play approach, for example, prepares the building so that tenants can arrange their chosen service with less physical installation required.
This can be particularly useful in multi-let office buildings, where tenants may change frequently and vacant space needs to be ready for the next business.
Giving tenants more choice
The way a building’s connectivity is designed can affect which internet providers are able to serve it.
An open-access fibre network can allow multiple operators and service providers to use the building’s infrastructure, subject to the network design and relevant agreements. This can give tenants more flexibility when choosing a connection that suits their business.
For landlords, provider-neutral infrastructure can also help avoid tying the building too closely to a single supplier. The options available will still depend on which networks serve the property and the commercial arrangements in place.
Avoiding unnecessary installation costs
Installing or upgrading fibre after a building is occupied can be more complicated than planning it during development or refurbishment. Access to risers and communications rooms may need to be coordinated, while new cable routes can involve disruption and additional costs.
Planning the fibre backbone and connections to tenant spaces early gives project teams more control over the installation. It also makes it easier to coordinate connectivity with the building’s other infrastructure.
Preparing for future tenants
A commercial building may have several tenants over its lifetime, each with different connectivity requirements. A flexible network design helps the property accommodate these changes without having to rethink the entire infrastructure each time a suite is let.
This is why it is worth considering the building’s long-term needs when specifying fibre capacity and internal distribution. The right design will depend on the property, its expected use and the services available in the area.
What Is Happening with Fibre Connectivity in London?
London has a well-established market for commercial fibre networks, with several operators serving parts of the city. The City of London lists networks including Colt, Openreach, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Zayo among those offering telecommunications infrastructure and services in the Square Mile.
However, a provider operating in an area does not guarantee that every building, floor or tenant suite can access its services. Availability needs to be checked at the individual property, and the building’s internal infrastructure can affect how easily a connection can be delivered.
There is also a reason for landlords to review older telecommunications arrangements. In April 2026, Openreach highlighted an infrastructure upgrade at The Shard and raised concerns about commercial buildings in London that still relied on services connected to the legacy analogue telephone network ahead of the planned January 2027 switch-off.
For property teams, this is a useful prompt to review existing telephone and other services that may depend on older connections. Alarm systems and building equipment should be assessed individually to make sure suitable alternatives are in place before any service is withdrawn.
You can read more in the City of London’s telecommunications guidance and Openreach’s update on The Shard and London’s infrastructure.
What Should Landlords Consider When Planning Fibre Infrastructure?
The right solution depends on the building, its existing network and the needs of its tenants. Before committing to an installation, landlords and developers should establish where fibre currently reaches and what is required to distribute it throughout the property.
It is worth checking whether the fibre backbone serves the relevant floors, whether individual tenant spaces have suitable connections and whether the infrastructure can support a choice of providers. The capacity to expand the network in the future should also be considered, particularly where the building is likely to undergo refurbishment or changes in layout.
For existing properties, an infrastructure review can help identify gaps before they become a problem during a letting. For new developments, involving a connectivity specialist early gives the project team more opportunity to plan cable routes, communications rooms and tenant connections before construction is complete.
How Zetta Connect Helps Commercial Buildings Get Connectivity Right
Zetta Connect works with commercial landlords, developers and property teams to plan and deliver connectivity infrastructure that supports the needs of the building and its tenants.
Our work includes fibre backbone infrastructure, open-access connectivity, diverse carrier provision and Plug & Play solutions. We look at how the building’s network is arranged, where connections are needed and how the infrastructure can support future requirements.
As an independent, provider-neutral consultancy, we focus on helping clients make informed decisions about their infrastructure while allowing tenants to choose from the providers available to them.
Whether you are developing a new office, refurbishing an existing property or reviewing connectivity in an occupied building, understanding where the fibre ends is a useful starting point.
Planning connectivity for a commercial property? Contact Zetta Connect to discuss your fibre backbone and tenant connectivity requirements.
Visit zettaconnect.co.uk or email info@zettaconnect.co.uk.