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FTTP build is basically a race between all the new and existing providers that have sprung up, backed by investors with deep pockets. I work in the industry so have had to double check what I've said below is already public knowledge and not just for internal distribution, and for the same reason have avoided naming any CPs as examples!
You have Openreach network which is open to about 20 competing FTTP Communication Providers (CPs), all competing on price and service.
You have standalone providers (cable) with their own networks (which can be either coax, or fibre)
You have standalone providers that specialise in new-build housing estates and new and retrofitted blocks of flats, who sell the network as separate from Openreach, but it actually runs on a business fibre product on the Openreach network brought to a street cabinet (or direct into a block of flats) with the provider dealing with the final distribution to homes.
You have Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) where CPs can share/rent the existing Openreach duct and poles. They can run their own cables in Openreach duct and poles and then break out into their own infrastructure at any point. This can either be literally right outside the telephone exchange, or it can be right at the street where they want to provide fibre.
And then you have the pricier/bespoke options such as microwave links and private satellite networks built by entrepreneurs, although for the little farm on a welsh hillside with a £400k connection cost, these bespoke solutions may well be utilised as a 'standard' installation in the future.
As far as I know, you only get a choice of competing providers when using the Openreach network, all other options, you would be tied into the supplier who is in your street (or inevitably, whoever buys up all these smaller networks and customer bases in years to come...I imagine economies of scale means this will happen) I don't know of any plan to open up these smaller networks to competing CPs, if they get bought by BT (maintained by Openreach) then there will be, if another provider buys them up to become a significant market, who knows? (I expect Ofcom would have to step in)
Also, I have seen streets where two or more providers are installing network, I don't know if this is just an inefficient overlap of separate build programs, or a deliberate act to compete for customers. But inevitably this doubles (or triples) the amount of equipment being installed, and despite clever space saving initiatives, once the space has gone, costs spiral to install more infrastructure. It does ultimately mean more competition and choice to benefit those residents though. Also, for the first time ever in any quantity, other providers are installing poles which are not owned by BT.
Demand will be there, partly through customers wanting faster speeds, but also as the copper network is in the first stage of a phased closure program as the fibre roll-out progresses. CPs are signing up to incentive schemes where they commit to only sell fibre based products where they are available to help accelerate switchover. To order an old skool copper line when you have fibre at your gate is likely to get more expensive from now on.
But inevitably this doubles (or triples) the amount of equipment being installed, and despite clever space saving initiatives, once the space has gone, costs spiral to install more infrastructure.
In the case of Virgin and City Fibre they're just installing their own street boxes rather than renting space in BT/Open Reach exchanges, so aren't constrained by space.
CPs can use both methods, one of the CPs you mention are not going to install hundreds of metres of duct if they can put equipment on an existing pole and the joints in nearby boxes. To clarify, I meant space in ducts and chambers than space in exchanges...and pole space is also limited as it will be years before the copper equipment can be removed, so there are poles with 3 sets of equipment out there (copper and two fibre providers)
CPs can use both methods, one of the CPs you mention are not going to install hundreds of metres of duct if they can put equipment on an existing pole and the joints in nearby boxes.
Gigaclear are just direct burying fibre in all of the verges round here, no ducting needed. Although it's going to be interesting in a few years when their fibres start getting severed as other people/utilities start digging things up and invariably the filed plans don't match reality...
Can’t you just get a few Starlink modules and share them over outdoor mesh links?
Is this something from Startrek? Explain for a luddite please, am intrigued. What I don't understand is how the village a few miles up the road gets fibre installed for free, yet my village gets told we have to pay to get fibre. The other village is bigger, and ours involves digging up 3 miles of (sort of private) road to get to a green box- which probably answers the question. £80 a month sounds a lot of dosh for the pleasure of watching some crap films on NetFlux...
Although it’s going to be interesting in a few years when their fibres start getting severed
I think they are installing tubing and then they blow fibre through it. Although you can't blow fibre through tubing that's been cut or kinked. We are not burying anything now unless it's exceptional circumstances.
What I don’t understand is how the village a few miles up the road gets fibre installed for free, yet my village gets told we have to pay to get fibre
You are only being charged as you are trying to organise the build (community funded partnership?). Unless there are monumental costs to overcome I would have thought fibre will come to your village when it's your turn.
Is this something from Startrek? Explain for a luddite please, am intrigued.
It's satellite internet, from SpaceX / Elon Musk, but they are trying to avoid all of the problems that existing satellite internet deployments have by having a LOT of satellites and clever technology. It's still in early phases yet, but when finished you will be able to get a fast internet connection anywhere in the world.
I think they are installing tubing and then they blow fibre through it.
It looks like they are putting tube from their new cabinets in the middle of each village/street to the boxes outside everyones doors, but they are using heavier duty (armoured?) tube/cable between the cabs. It all seems pretty haphazard as to how it's being laid though, so I can foresee issues in the future!