How to Check Business Broadband Availability Properly (Birmingham Guide) - Not Just a Postcode Checker
- Power Fibre
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Been told “full fibre isn’t available”? Don’t assume that’s the final answer.
f you’re a Birmingham business struggling with slow speeds, dropouts, or unreliable calls, you’ve probably done the usual:
Tried a postcode checker
Called a big provider and got a quick “no”
Been told “survey required” with no real timescale
The frustrating bit? Those checks are often incomplete, especially in Birmingham city centre buildings and busy areas (Jewellery Quarter, Hockley, Digbeth, Edgbaston, Colmore Row and beyond).
Want us to check it for you (properly)?
Power Fibre runs an address-level check across multiple networks and comes back with what’s actually possible, including options from network partners that don’t sell direct to businesses (which is why many companies assume full fibre isn’t available).
The 30-second answer
A proper business broadband availability check is:
Address-level (not postcode-level)
Cross-checked across multiple networks (not just one provider’s database)
Checked for real-world install constraints (building access, wayleaves, comms room, etc.)
Comes with a clear next step and realistic timescale, not vague “maybe” answers
Why postcode checkers are often wrong (and why it matters)
Postcodes are helpful for directions, not for broadband reality.
Here are the most common reasons Birmingham businesses get told “not available” when options actually exist:
1) Postcode ≠ your premises
Multi-tenant buildings, split units, serviced offices, new builds… the checker might not be looking at your exact unit.
2) The checker only shows one provider’s view
Many tools only show what that provider can sell. If another network covers your building/street, you’ll never see it.
3) Database lag happens
Availability records don’t always update quickly. A “no” today can become a “yes” once records catch up or once the check is done properly.
4) “Fibre” doesn’t always mean full fibre
A lot of “fibre” results still use copper for the final stretch. If you’re suffering with upload speeds or VoIP reliability, that’s usually the culprit.
5) Install constraints get mistaken for “not available”
In older buildings and office blocks, the real issue is often permissions, access, or paperwork not that fibre doesn’t exist.
The proper way to check business broadband availability (step-by-step)
Here’s the practical process we recommend.
Step 1: Confirm the exact address details
This saves days of back-and-forth.
Make sure you have:
Unit number (Suite / Floor / Office)
Building name (if it has one)
Full postcode
The address you actually receive post at
If you’re in a shared building, your “company address” online often doesn’t match what the networks have on file.
Step 2: Ask the right question - “Is it FTTP to my unit?”
Don’t ask “is fibre available?”
Ask:
“Is FTTP (full fibre) available to my exact unit?”
“What speeds are available and are uploads symmetrical?”
If your pain is Teams, cloud apps, CCTV uploads, or VoIP, this is the question that matters.
Step 3: Cross-check multiple networks (this is where most businesses get stuck)
Here’s the bit that trips most businesses up.
If you enquire with a big provider, you’ll usually only be told what they can sell you. So if their database says “no”, it’s the end of the conversation.
At Power Fibre, we check your exact address across multiple networks, including partners who don’t sell direct to businesses.
That’s often the difference between:
“Nothing available.”and
“Here are the real full fibre options and realistic timescales.”
Save yourself the hassle, send us your address and we’ll check it properly.
Step 4: Identify install blockers early (so you don’t waste time)
Even if full fibre is available, installs can be delayed if the building needs permissions or access.
Quick questions to answer upfront:
Do you own the premises or rent?
Is there a landlord / freeholder / building manager?
Is it a serviced office?
Have you previously been told “survey required”?
Is there a comms room / riser cupboard and can you access it?
If you can answer these early, you’ll get a much clearer timeline.
Step 5: Get a clear timescale (not vague reassurance)
A proper result should tell you:
What is available
What’s needed next (order / survey / permission)
A realistic install timeline and what might slow it down
If all you’re getting is “we’ll see” or “someone will call you”, you’re not getting a proper check.
Why businesses get better answers through Power Fibre
If you go direct to the biggest providers, you’ll get one view of the world, their view.
When you ask Power Fibre, you get:
Address-level checks across multiple networks
Access to network partners who don’t sell direct to businesses
Clear timescales and an honest view of what’s realistic
Help navigating building/landlord issues if needed
If you’ve already been told “not available” or “survey required”, that’s exactly when this approach helps.
FAQ
What’s the difference between FTTP and “part-fibre”?
FTTP is full fibre all the way to your premises. “Part-fibre” often still uses copper for the final stretch, which can cause the reliability issues you’re trying to escape.
Why would residential full fibre show as available but business says no?
Sometimes residential databases update first. In multi-tenant buildings, unit-level addressing can also cause mismatches. It doesn’t always mean it’s impossible, it often means it needs checking properly at address level.
What does “survey required” actually mean?
It usually means someone needs to confirm the physical route, building access, or what’s needed inside the premises. It doesn’t automatically mean “no”, it means “needs confirming.”
How long does a full fibre install take?
It depends on the building and permissions. A proper check should give you a realistic timescale upfront (and tell you what could delay it).
Do I need landlord permission for fibre?
If you rent, sometimes yes, especially in managed buildings. Getting the right person involved early prevents delays.
Comments