Chorus fibre subdivisions not part of initial UFB rollout?

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ChrisNZL

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Topic # 99981 31-Mar-2012 03:08
What does Chorus have to do to connect a fibre trial subdivision to their UFB fibre network? It seems my Chorus "fibre ready" subdivision in Waitakere isn't part of Chorus' initial UFB rollout. Although I'm using fibre with Xnet/WorldxChange as part of a Chorus (ex-Telecom) fibre trial, I can't switch to Orcon's UFB fibre plans (or any other UFB ISP, eg WorldNet). Orcon's been talking with Chorus for me over the past couple of weeks, and the word is that Chorus doesn't have an ETA for when my fibre-only subdivision will be UFB-enabled. Surely it'd be trivial to hook up my subdivision's fibre network to UFB? It feels like Chorus has/had all these trials in place to prep them for the nationwide UFB rollout, yet they can't make the effort to connect my trial subdivision to UFB sooner than later? Meanwhile my only option for fibre is through expensive Xnet :( Sorry for the rant, just strikes me as unimpressed.

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Reply # 602787 31-Mar-2012 05:57
There's more to it than just "switching on UFB". The trial subdivisions might need the layer 2 equipment replaced in order to provide the different spec'd UFB services and to support the open access requirements. Also a larger capacity backhaul may need to be run to the subdivision so that the same capacity is available as would be in a new UFB area. My opinions (TWEIE) are mine, not my employers. Any statements of fact are drawn from public sources.

sbiddle

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Reply # 602790 31-Mar-2012 06:29
There are a couple of people on here in the same boat. One thing to remember is that the issue doesn't lie with WxC. There is nothing stopping any ISP from offering services over this network. Most choose not to because they don't have the capabilities to offer voice + data services and secondly don't like the current wholesale pricing offered by Chorus. If you have issues my suggestion would be to contact your local MP, communications minster, Chorus and the Commerce Commission. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

ChrisNZL

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Reply # 602823 31-Mar-2012 09:47
shanehobson: There's more to it than just "switching on UFB". The trial subdivisions might need the layer 2 equipment replaced in order to provide the different spec'd UFB services and to support the open access requirements. Also a larger capacity backhaul may need to be run to the subdivision so that the same capacity is available as would be in a new UFB area. Thanks, this is the sort of info I'd love to hear more about: what's the difference between these trial subdivisions and the UFB rollout? I was under the impression that it was all the same fibre but I guess not. Disheartening to see Orcon advertising fibre plans, only to find out that I can't join them yet. sbiddle: There are a couple of people on here in the same boat. One thing to remember is that the issue doesn't lie with WxC. There is nothing stopping any ISP from offering services over this network. Most choose not to because they don't have the capabilities to offer voice + data services and secondly don't like the current wholesale pricing offered by Chorus. If you have issues my suggestion would be to contact your local MP, communications minster, Chorus and the Commerce Commission. Cheers, yeah I know this isn't a WorldxChange issue, but a Chorus one. I don't really have a big problem with it; just strikes me as odd. I assumed a Chorus fibre subdivision would be able to access a UFB ISP but I guess not. Would love more technical details about why not, as touched on above. Realistically, I guess I'll have to wait for UFB to be rolled out in my area, despite having fibre to my door already. And here I was hoping I'd be able to switch ISPs this year!

ptinson

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Orcon

Reply # 602830 31-Mar-2012 10:13
sbiddle: There is nothing stopping any ISP from offering services over this network. Steve, have you asked Chorus this recently?

sbiddle

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Reply # 602857 31-Mar-2012 11:43
ptinson: sbiddle: There is nothing stopping any ISP from offering services over this network. Steve, have you asked Chorus this recently? No, but I have since been told this morning that these greenfields areas now essentially have a change freeze in place which would theoretically prevent other ISP's offering services at present, which is what I assume you are referring to. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

ptinson

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Orcon

Reply # 602865 31-Mar-2012 12:25
It is. That is also my understanding.

maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 602893 31-Mar-2012 14:12
Talk to me about it this arvo Steve.... I will be the Brad Pitt look a like Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

vgamail

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Reply # 603888 2-Apr-2012 15:05
sbiddle: There are a couple of people on here in the same boat. I am. sbiddle: if you have issues my suggestion would be to contact your local MP, communications minster, Chorus and the Commerce Commission. I have sent letters to local MP and to communications minister already, but we should do it together. It's too easy to ignore one letter. I still think that it's not normal situation when customers don't have have choice and have to pay high price for service. I sure that person who created this situation has financial benefit from it.

Zeon

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Reply # 603906 2-Apr-2012 15:23
vgamail: sbiddle: There are a couple of people on here in the same boat. I am. sbiddle: if you have issues my suggestion would be to contact your local MP, communications minster, Chorus and the Commerce Commission. I have sent letters to local MP and to communications minister already, but we should do it together. It's too easy to ignore one letter. I still think that it's not normal situation when customers don't have have choice and have to pay high price for service. I sure that person who created this situation has financial benefit from it. It's not a conspiracy! No one "created" the situation. As mentioned its here because ISPs have been too slack to provide a service over it.

sbiddle

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Reply # 603907 2-Apr-2012 15:23
I was told the full story by a contact at Chorus on Saturday, but whether it's public knowledge or not I don't know, so won't be posting the full reasons here. Every ISP in NZ has had several years in which they could deploy services over this existing fibre. All except WxC have chosen not to do so. The situation has arisen now with UFB that in effect a change freeze has been implimented on these existing greenfields areas and no changes will happen until are converted over to UFB. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

vgamail

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Reply # 603916 2-Apr-2012 15:31
Zeon: It's not a conspiracy! No one "created" the situation. As mentioned its here because ISPs have been too slack to provide a service over it. Yes, you're right. There are no good solution in this situation. But somebody has decided to build new houses without copper wire. “Future proof” technology. Ha-ha. If we would have copper wire, we would select any providers.

ChorusVan

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Chorus

Reply # 603990 2-Apr-2012 16:35
We've been deploying fibre in sub-divisions since 2006, preparing the way for a fibre future. We have some work to do in order to adapt legacy network equipment to new UFB wholesale services and network specifications, opening up access to UFB retail service providers. Our initial UFB effort has been focused on priority deployments to help connect schools, businesses and major health facilities. We're working towards having existing FTTP sub-divisions able to connect to UFB services later this year. Together we're building New Zealand's fibre future

vgamail

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Reply # 604222 2-Apr-2012 23:03
We're working towards having existing FTTP sub-divisions able to connect to UFB services later this year. Thank you for first good news since I have moved to new house in August.

maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 604259 3-Apr-2012 05:56
vgamail: We're working towards having existing FTTP sub-divisions able to connect to UFB services later this year. Thank you for first good news since I have moved to new house in August. If Fibre is not what you require there are other options and have been for a while wireless options and 3g offerings are out there so feel free to use those instead if the product is such a big issue for you. Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

ChrisNZL

241 posts

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Reply # 604260 3-Apr-2012 06:03
Thank you for the info, Chorus! Good news indeed.

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