Fibre Install query - property access & 'MDU' designation

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Torque

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#207571 3-Jan-2017 14:05

Afternoon all; apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Looking at getting fibre for some family members in Lower Hutt, on the western hills.

Chorus' address checker states that it's an MDU property - oddly (single dwelling property) but the current copper line does come down through bush via a neighbours property (the line cuts through their 'airspace').

(Years ago Telecom said they had no map or idea of the line location, sans that the line simply existed, if that makes any difference).

Does the MDU status pose any real issues?

Family happy to do the pre-consent access for their own property, but any new work would likely have to be above ground (to come over the bush) via the neighbours property/airspace (through bush), as the terrain wouldn't really permit underground trenching unless Chorus were super keen - and it would be around 200m - 300m from the roadside as it is.

This is a bit disjointed, but just after some advice / knowledge in terms of how Chorus might act/think.

webwat

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#1697878 3-Jan-2017 14:09

They would likely replace the copper line with a fibre or composite cable on the same poles, so the consent process is really just to keep everyone happy because of the situations of some other cases.

Time to find a new industry!

raytaylor

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#1697927 3-Jan-2017 17:22

In the dictionary of chorus...

"MDU - A way to delay a UFB install for an unknown amount of time for an unknown number of unknown reasons"

It is important to ensure your Single Dwelling Unit does not get reclassified as an MDU. If an installer or chorus representative says the words "This is an MDU" you should immediately respond with "This is not an MDU" at least three times, unless of course it is really a multi dwelling unit.

Ray Taylor

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sbiddle

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#1697960 3-Jan-2017 17:55

Torque: , but any new work would likely have to be above ground (to come over the bush) via the neighbours property/airspace (through bush), as the terrain wouldn't really permit underground trenching unless Chorus were super keen - and it would be around 200m - 300m from the roadside as it is.

An aerial trespass (passing over somebody else's property) poses a major obstacle. These are simply not permitted any longer, even if it's a like for like swap out.

Torque

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1697963 3-Jan-2017 18:12

Thanks @sbiddle - interesting to note (powerlines are an aeiral trespass too, the waterline is an underground trespass).

I'll probably tell my family it's a no-go for fibre then as there is no direct access to the property that isn't some form of trespass - the driveway is road -> council land (small council/GWRC area) -> easement -> own property. From the initial road point, there are no other properties (and likely, underground cables) for several hundreds of meters.

God forbid the current phone line gets taken out in a storm or similar, as I've got no idea how they'd put in another one.

dimsim

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#1697978 3-Jan-2017 19:09

Torque: Thanks @sbiddle - interesting to note (powerlines are an aeiral trespass too, the waterline is an underground trespass). I'll probably tell my family it's a no-go for fibre then as there is no direct access to the property that isn't some form of trespass - the driveway is road -> council land (small council/GWRC area) -> easement -> own property. From the initial road point, there are no other properties (and likely, underground cables) for several hundreds of meters. God forbid the current phone line gets taken out in a storm or similar, as I've got no idea how they'd put in another one.

Make sure they're paying their monthly line maintenance charge, then it will be at no cost to them if the line to the house is damaged and needs replacement.

sbiddle

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#1697980 3-Jan-2017 19:13

dimsim:

Torque: Thanks @sbiddle - interesting to note (powerlines are an aeiral trespass too, the waterline is an underground trespass). I'll probably tell my family it's a no-go for fibre then as there is no direct access to the property that isn't some form of trespass - the driveway is road -> council land (small council/GWRC area) -> easement -> own property. From the initial road point, there are no other properties (and likely, underground cables) for several hundreds of meters. God forbid the current phone line gets taken out in a storm or similar, as I've got no idea how they'd put in another one.

Make sure they're paying their monthly line maintenance charge, then it will be at no cost to them if the line to the house is damaged and needs replacement.

There is no need to pay for wiring maintenance to fix a lead-in as it's part of the Chorus network and owned by Chorus. Wiring maintenance covers internal wiring owned by the property owner, which is either from the ETP of first jackpoint.

Should the lead-in be damaged however they would likely replace the copper as it's basically deemed an essential service. UFB is not.

Goosey

2831 posts

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#1698018 3-Jan-2017 21:23

Torque: Thanks @sbiddle - interesting to note (powerlines are an aeiral trespass too, the waterline is an underground trespass). I'll probably tell my family it's a no-go for fibre then as there is no direct access to the property that isn't some form of trespass - the driveway is road -> council land (small council/GWRC area) -> easement -> own property. From the initial road point, there are no other properties (and likely, underground cables) for several hundreds of meters. God forbid the current phone line gets taken out in a storm or similar, as I've got no idea how they'd put in another one.

dont give up! Just get them to give it a go and see what transpires. Afterall if they wait too long, it might be out of reach $$ wise in the future so perhaps better off wating for red tape to take its slow course now?

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sbiddle

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#1698019 3-Jan-2017 21:24

Yip definitely don't give up - without Chorus coming to scope the install you're simply not going to know.