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freitasm

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#208210 1-Feb-2017 10:19
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Just received:

 

 

Spark will use UnisonFibre to connect new customers to Spark fibre broadband, in areas covered by the UnisonFibre network. UnisonFibre has an extensive fibre network, with more than 700kms of cabling reaching nearly 13,000 homes and businesses across the Hawke’s Bay region and Taupo and Rotorua – and offers fibre network capabilities equivalent to those available via the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network in other parts of New Zealand.

 

UnisonFibre’s network was originally built to serve larger businesses with fibre connectivity. While its network largely overlaps with the UFB roll out, some extra homes and small businesses that don’t currently have UFB fibre available will now be able to be connected via Spark and UnisonFibre. Making fibre available to these additional properties aligns well with Spark’s Upgrade New Zealand strategy, which aims to move as many customers as possible off copper broadband and onto newer broadband technologies such as fibre.

 

Customers can check if fibre is available to them on the Spark address checker. Spark has already successfully provisioned a number of fibre installations for residential and small business customers through UnisonFibre during December and January.

 

Robert Monteith, Spark’s Regional Leader for Hawke’s Bay, says, “We think this partnership is a really positive move for the communities to which the Unison group is already the local electricity networks company. UnisonFibre will help Spark provide a great fibre installation experience for our customers. They have an in-house call centre and their own fibre technicians out in the field which helps keep the installation process simple and creates a positive experience for our customers. They also have access to overhead power lines through their parent company Unison, so, in some cases, can avoid the need for extensive trench digging to lay fibre cables to properties.” 

 

UnisonFibre General Manager, Mike McGarvey said the residential agreement with Spark will drive significant value for UnisonFibre, extending its reach in the residential market even further.

 

“Spark and UnisonFibre already have a strong working relationship that has developed through connecting Spark Digital customers. It’s a relationship based on mutual respect and shared values – delivering a quality connection and a responsive, on-time personal service for our customers.

 

“Our team is thrilled to build on this strong foundation while connecting residential customers to better, faster broadband services through our network in Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.”

 

Spark has been working with UnisonFibre since 2013 on managed data services for Spark’s corporate and enterprise customers. Over the past year, the companies have worked together to adjust these services for Spark’s residential and small business customers.” 

 

Rob Berrill, GM of Physical Infrastructure for Spark, explains, “Unison have proven to be an excellent partner over the past three years, helping us provide managed data for larger businesses in the region. Based on our experience, we’re confident they are well placed to help us accelerate fibre uptake with our residential and small business customers.”

 





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deadlyllama
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  #1713822 1-Feb-2017 11:22
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Wow, Spark is really putting the cat among the layer two wholesale pigeons.

 

First pushing customers off Chorus copper and UFB tails onto 4G, now putting new fibre customers on a non-UFB network.

 

Makes you wonder why Chorus got the contract for Unison's areas, if Unison can deliver coverage without any government funding.




kingjj
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  #1713903 1-Feb-2017 13:46
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Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.


deadlyllama
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  #1713904 1-Feb-2017 13:53
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kingjj:

 

Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.

 

 

No more anti-competitive than putting them on 4G, or leaving them on DSL.




hio77
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  #1713915 1-Feb-2017 14:22
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kingjj:

 

Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.

 

 

 

 

as i understand it, If a Chorus ONT is existing - Chorus Fibre

 

If Unison is avalible and no Chorus ONT - Unison

 

If Unison is unavalbile and Chorus fibre is - Chorus

 

 

 

Personally i like the idea that another company has bought out offering UFB services like this, Spark have just been the first big RSP that i know of to take advantage of it.

 

Think about if we had say, vector, pushing UFB rollouts over their existing overhead powerlines all the trouble of powerpole permissions for chorus would be nullvoid and particularly in rural areas it would be more cost effective to upgrade both services at once.





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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

 

 


nitrotech
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  #1713916 1-Feb-2017 14:24
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kingjj:

 

Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.

 

 


Don't see how it's different to Vodafone putting in cable instead of fibre in their HFC areas.

 

The real advantage for people in the Unison areas is that they tend to bend over backwards to get the install done so hopefully that will mean more people connected in a faster time-frame.

 

But yes it does cut down options to switch providers.

 

 


chevrolux
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  #1713938 1-Feb-2017 14:56
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kingjj:

 

Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.

 

 

I don't see why there couldn't be a Chorus and a Unison ONT.... sure ugliness and more work but technically there wouldn't be a reason.


hio77
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  #1713942 1-Feb-2017 14:58
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chevrolux:

 

kingjj:

 

Which network will take priority for premises that have both passing? If its Unison than one could argue its anti-competitive of Spark to sign up customers on it as it could make it harder to switch providers, potentially require a complete new install.

 

 

I don't see why there couldn't be a Chorus and a Unison ONT.... sure ugliness and more work but technically there wouldn't be a reason.

 

 

very much agree, give me the chance to have Two functional ONTs here and i'll jump at the idea!





#include <std_disclaimer>

 

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richms
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  #1713945 1-Feb-2017 15:03
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That might push me to keeping 2 connections when fiber is available here since if I get 2 from chorus then it really doesn't have the same resilience as 2 from separate wholesale networks.





Richard rich.ms

hio77
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  #1713954 1-Feb-2017 15:23
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richms:

 

That might push me to keeping 2 connections when fiber is available here since if I get 2 from chorus then it really doesn't have the same resilience as 2 from separate wholesale networks.

 

 

 

 

unfortunately you get to enjoy your VDSL for a bit longer.

 

 

 

Unison is currently only covering Napier, Hastings, Gisborne and Rotorua areas. 





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Glazza
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  #1713956 1-Feb-2017 15:25
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hio77:

 

 

 

Unison is currently only covering Napier, Hastings, Gisborne and Rotorua areas. 

 

 

Napier, Hastings, Taupo and Rotorua

 

 


hio77
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  #1713984 1-Feb-2017 15:33
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Glazza:

 

hio77:

 

 

 

Unison is currently only covering Napier, Hastings, Gisborne and Rotorua areas. 

 

 

Napier, Hastings, Taupo and Rotorua

 

 

 

 

areas were listed as per internal notification i was sent.





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Glazza
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  #1713986 1-Feb-2017 15:38
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hio77:

 

 

 

areas were listed as per internal notification i was sent.

 

 

UnisonFibre is definitely only in Hastings, Napier, Taupo and Rotorua.  Nothing in Gisborne.


hio77
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  #1714117 1-Feb-2017 19:15
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Glazza:

 

 

 

hio77:

 

 

 

areas were listed as per internal notification i was sent.

 

 

UnisonFibre is definitely only in Hastings, Napier, Taupo and Rotorua.  Nothing in Gisborne.

 

 

You are correct indeed.

 

 

 

i'll submit a query for that one...





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sbiddle
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  #1714190 1-Feb-2017 21:25
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Spark are on their way to wanting to be a vertically integrated provider again. They really want to avoid Chorus at all costs.

 

I know I've posted this before but I seriously think you'll end up with Spark buying Citylink in the not too distant future.

 

 


yitz
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  #1714203 1-Feb-2017 21:35
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Theresa Gattung for next Spark CEO.

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