Neighbour said no to UFB install

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Weighsone

24 posts

Geek

#191100 23-Jan-2016 13:51

I live in a 3 unit apartment, I put the wheels in motion to get Fiber once it was available. I got the notification a few weeks down the track that the order had been canceled because one of the neighbours said no to it. I know which one it is, but haven't said anything to them for fear of making it worse or, you know, exploding at them and calling them names.

I've been told that they said no because they are afraid of what the install might add to the building in terms of wires running up the side etc. I've never seen a messy fiber install before and have overseen many of them in the past.

Has anyone come across this and been able to deal with it with a structured argument to change their minds? Or even a ufb installer that would be able to give a good idea of what the install would involve (can give more details of the place later if that's the case), or possibly how to find out which one their copper line is so i can introduce a rat to it.. or any other suggestions?

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3848 posts

Uber Geek

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#1477338 23-Jan-2016 14:02

You can only go and talk to them about it and ask why they said no.

Weighsone

24 posts

Geek

#1477340 23-Jan-2016 14:04

I know I'll need to talk to them at some, and I'm pretty sure their concern is about where cabling will be going and potential holes. What I'm looking for is additional information to have ready when I do talk to them

shortcircuit

86 posts

Master Geek

#1477366 23-Jan-2016 15:23

I'm just going through the fibre process with 3 units.

If your units have a body corp- the body corp secretary applies for consent on behalf of the occupiers/owners of the units. Usually body corp can get away with majority consensus ie 2 out of 3 occupiers because consent is sought by the body corp and not the occupiers directly (most body corp decisions require a majority vote).

If there is no body corp- Chorus state on their web site that they must have 100% consent from all occupiers. This sounds like where you're at.

If your units are newer than mid 1980s era it appears that the fibre cables can probably be routed through the old pipe that runs from the street (ie no digging and likely no extra holes). If that is too difficult then the installers can discuss digging a new trench from the road or running the fibre cable along a fence line etc. There is usually no additional cost for this. Inside the apartments the fibre cabling would likely run the same way as the old phone lines.

My understanding is that if the digging option is too difficult you can withdraw consent before work actually starts, so you could check with your installer and this might put the neighbour's mind at rest enough to agree to consent.

Lorenceo

904 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1477373 23-Jan-2016 15:39

An installer won't be sent out at all unless consent is gained first. You're going to have to speak to your neighbours about it and ask what happened. Make sure you bring up the benefits of UFB as well. If they find out what it can do for them they might decide they want it as well.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1477393 23-Jan-2016 15:51

Offer them some beer!

shortcircuit

86 posts

Master Geek

#1477395 23-Jan-2016 15:54

Lorenceo:

An installer won't be sent out at all unless consent is gained first. You're going to have to speak to your neighbours about it and ask what happened. Make sure you bring up the benefits of UFB as well. If they find out what it can do for them they might decide they want it as well.

Agreed,

Just be aware (as I'm sure you are already) that your neighbour holds all the cards. If they say no you are stuck, so your only course of action would be to be as nice as humanly possible when communicating with them. If it all goes pear-shaped at least they come out of it looking like the bad guy. Like Lorenzo said explain the benefits to them (including immediate internet speed/reliability etc but also future resale of unit- better chance of selling if it's hooked up to fibre already!)

If you think the neighbour might have withheld consent to spite you directly- then you're much better to communicate with them through the 3rd unit occupier or they will probably just make you squirm for the hell of it (human nature I'm afraid)...

Or buy a pet rat that likes chewing electrical things

jmh

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1477396 23-Jan-2016 15:57

I'm just wondering if there is the option to run the cable from a telephone pole. While you might not want to do this, you could suggest it as an option to the neighbour and see what they say. I.e. It will be a nice tidy tunnel under the ground which will grow over in time, or a line running overhead. I know which I would prefer.

You could also suggest that while they don't want fibre now, it would be good for it to be in place should they decide to have it in future. While installation is free for most now, it might not be in years to come.

How about having both sets of neighbours around for a drink and discussing it on a friendly basis.

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ronw

1222 posts

Uber Geek

#1477397 23-Jan-2016 16:00

I live on a ROW and was wondering about having to contact other owners however Chorus just ran the fibre up the nearest phone pole and strung it into house alongside the power and phone lines. Simple

Weighsone:

I know I'll need to talk to them at some, and I'm pretty sure their concern is about where cabling will be going and potential holes. What I'm looking for is additional information to have ready when I do talk to them

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antoniosk

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#1477402 23-Jan-2016 16:19

Weighsone:
I know I'll need to talk to them at some, and I'm pretty sure their concern is about where cabling will be going and potential holes. What I'm looking for is additional information to have ready when I do talk to them

Given everyone is affected, it's oh reasonable everyone discusses this together. For that you need to get together and talk, and outline with chorus what you would like.

I don't know if chorus does those sorts of meetings, but i would expect any utility to expect that all the owners have a right to comment on works proposed for their property.

There is also strength in numbers - your other neighbours may want it, it almost always adds value to their property, they get a say in the final finishing and so on,

You will also know who said no and better understand what their reasons are

________

Antoniosk

tdgeek

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#1477407 23-Jan-2016 16:54

jmh:
I'm just wondering if there is the option to run the cable from a telephone pole. While you might not want to do this, you could suggest it as an option to the neighbour and see what they say. I.e. It will be a nice tidy tunnel under the ground which will grow over in time, or a line running overhead. I know which I would prefer.

You could also suggest that while they don't want fibre now, it would be good for it to be in place should they decide to have it in future. While installation is free for most now, it might not be in years to come.

How about having both sets of neighbours around for a drink and discussing it on a friendly basis.

Good idea, and let then know it's not to persuade them but to enlighten them and no pressure. Many builds (street to property ) are machine tunneled underground