[MrIca]

Openreach have the benefit of their network probably already being incredibly close to the development.

Some things look easy to network planners in an office but turn out not to be. You need to think in terms of months with anything to do with civils. Digging ducts is troublesome-it's common to come across all manner of issues that can cause not much to happen for weeks on end. Even trying to push cables through existing ducts is hard as they can get blocked. Modern networks such as Virgin's and Openreach's FTTC network also rely on power to be booked up. So then you've got a completely different company that may have their own issues and delays.

You say in your post "it's not like we're talking about digging up roads here". How do you know that? How do you think they get the fibre to your road in the first place. It's got to link into the existing network in some way, I don't know the area but the existing network could be miles away. There could have been loads of digging for all you know!