Rural UFB install

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Chorus

#3424678 13-Oct-2025 15:43

I'm no network engineer so my knowledge on such things is somewhat rudimentary. However my understanding is that for a standard UFB setup each signal from the transceiver back at the OLT is actually split at a ratio of 1:16 separate Fibre lines. So each transceiver supplies signal for up to 16 ONT's.

Doing this significantly reduces the light levels as you are effectively splitting the 'power budget' up across each new Fibre. This is part of what limits the distance your property must be from the OLT. If we don't split your Fibre and run it direct from the OLT it can travel much farther.

Again, very simplified and potentially missing other factors, but at its core this is how we can get individual connections going even if they are quite far from the exchange.

^Richard

everettpsycho

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#3424714 13-Oct-2025 21:49

Chorusnz:

I'm no network engineer so my knowledge on such things is somewhat rudimentary. However my understanding is that for a standard UFB setup each signal from the transceiver back at the OLT is actually split at a ratio of 1:16 separate Fibre lines. So each transceiver supplies signal for up to 16 ONT's.

Doing this significantly reduces the light levels as you are effectively splitting the 'power budget' up across each new Fibre. This is part of what limits the distance your property must be from the OLT. If we don't split your Fibre and run it direct from the OLT it can travel much farther.

Again, very simplified and potentially missing other factors, but at its core this is how we can get individual connections going even if they are quite far from the exchange.

^Richard

From memory splices, bends and splitting are the main reducers of signal strength. Most networks I've heard of use 1:32 splitters but some use cascaded splitters as taps, so it splits to fewer cables but they are done so the side made to feed more people has less signal reduction. Not sure how you guys at chorus do it though. If people are far reducing the loss with a smaller splitter would make sense, and dark fibres can go really far without the losses added on.

At 20km you'd likely have at least 5 joints if they are using 4km drums of fibres and depending on how it's been installed at least 1 splitter and potentially some splices in that underground joint pit. Like most digital stuff though, you see the light or you don't, there's little inbetween for a buried cable that doesn't get moved about much to disrupt it.

MichaelNZ

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Net Trust Ltd

#3424715 13-Oct-2025 21:55

I have just Google Map'd the distance from the Dannevirke exchange and its looking around 20.2km.

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MichaelNZ

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#3424852 14-Oct-2025 12:42

Today was the second and final day of fibre running.

The Downer contractors spliced in the fibre pigtails at the splitter (It's 1:8 for those who are interested) and tested the loss at 12dB which was better then expected.

They had intended to join my conduit for a continuous run but I asked nicely for a "hand hold" pit and they found a used one lying around to give me. This was a relief because I didn't want the whole thing dug up again if they do a general rollout.

In 2019 I had run a nylon fishing line through my conduit for this purpose but it turned out to be a waste of time. On a long run the nylon gets twisted around the existing (copper) cable and this makes it useless. So we instead used the copper line (pictured) to pull the micro duct through. This is now run along the ground back out to the pillar to keep our VDSL working while we wait for the next part.

His co-worker then turned up and they blew the fibre all the way from the main pit through to our ETP.

Its now just a waiting game for our address to be added to the UFB database and then we can place our order for the ONT install. This part proceeds like any other UFB install.

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MichaelNZ

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#3425050 15-Oct-2025 10:33

I have done a bit of reading and it appears the 20km limit thing is an over-simplification. Apparently its 20km maximum between the closest and farthest ONT's. It is my understanding Norsewood has a dedicated line card at the Dannevirke exchange and therefore would not be affected by this. Some of the information indicated 40km is possible with GPON and XGS-PON may be even more.

I also found this excellent technical explainer by Peter Vandaele

POL Basics - GPON (Part 1)

POL Basics - GPON (Part 2)

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Talkiet

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#3425056 15-Oct-2025 11:06

nztim:

There is no replacement for fibre, and I have no problem with my taxpayer dollars been spent to ensure every household across nz has it and all other Technolgies FO

But that wont happen

LOL... No problem with your money being spent running fibre to Martins Bay Lodge? You're a way more generous person than I!

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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Behodar

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#3425059 15-Oct-2025 11:28

MichaelNZ:

I have ordered 920 / 500 SME and am hoping to get Hyperfibre 1,000 by the end of the year subject to the new Zyxel wall mount XGS-PON ONT being available.

I'm not sure whether you'll be able to get Hyperfibre. As far as I'm aware it's not available in Dannevirke, so if your OLT is there then you presumably won't be able to get it.

Hopefully I'm mistaken!

Scott3

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#3425062 15-Oct-2025 11:47

Talkiet:

nztim:

There is no replacement for fibre, and I have no problem with my taxpayer dollars been spent to ensure every household across nz has it and all other Technolgies FO

But that wont happen

LOL... No problem with your money being spent running fibre to Martins Bay Lodge? You're a way more generous person than I!

....

Cheers - N

Yeah, I am happy with a lot more fiber, but we do need to draw a line somewhere.

Rolling out fiber to every remote hermit shack, is not effective use of taxpayer money.

We live that while inferior to fiber, Low earth orbit satellite internet is quite usable, and available anywhere with a clear view of the sky. (and fixed wireless links are impressive these days too).

Aucklandjafa

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#3425063 15-Oct-2025 11:48

Behodar:

MichaelNZ:

I have ordered 920 / 500 SME and am hoping to get Hyperfibre 1,000 by the end of the year subject to the new Zyxel wall mount XGS-PON ONT being available.

I'm not sure whether you'll be able to get Hyperfibre. As far as I'm aware it's not available in Dannevirke, so if your OLT is there then you presumably won't be able to get it.

Hopefully I'm mistaken!

pretty sure hyperfibre is available everywhere you can get fibre. Only restrictions is 8k/8k plan which is limited to main exchanges

Dairusire

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#3425112 15-Oct-2025 12:33

Aucklandjafa:

Behodar:

I'm not sure whether you'll be able to get Hyperfibre. As far as I'm aware it's not available in Dannevirke, so if your OLT is there then you presumably won't be able to get it.

Hopefully I'm mistaken!

pretty sure hyperfibre is available everywhere you can get fibre. Only restrictions is 8k/8k plan which is limited to main exchanges

Speaking for Dannevirke because I just checked, the above statement is correct :)
Hyperfibre is available there up to 4g/4g, but 8g/8g is not.

Behodar

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#3425118 15-Oct-2025 13:15

So I was indeed mistaken! I thought it was only available in UFB1 areas, but it seems like "it" is only the 8 Gb/s service then :)

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MichaelNZ

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#3425176 15-Oct-2025 15:42

Talkiet:

LOL... No problem with your money being spent running fibre to Martins Bay Lodge? You're a way more generous person than I!

Lets be realistic here. Noone was advocating fibre to this address.

FWIW I live in the Norsewood township. This is a community along SH2 with around 100 properties in near urban density.

Even then we still had to pay for our install. I know of two other Geekzoners who likewise had to pay. In all 3 of these cases we are talking 5-figure sums but I have heard through the grapevine of scenarios into the 6-figures. There is a GZer who was quoted a 1/4 million.

The Chorus Fibre for 95% of Kiwis proposal is clearly directed at finishing off the rollout to 95% by including areas like Norsewood which are no different to a bunch of other town and township areas - many which have been connected and many which have not.

In the last few weeks I have worked through our (thankfully short) list of clients who are still on DSL and made judgement calls. Some are clearly a bit out there and will have to move to wireless/LEO. There is quite a bit of work involved in facilitating "custom installs" for us and Chorus so - like most other ISP's - we aren't looking to get everyone across the line.

But a couple, like Norsewood, simply didn't win the UFB lottery. One was in a high growth part of Auckland and their immediate neighbour was in the footprint. They just happened to end up in no mans land between two UFB areas. They will very likely have to pay and we will be having this conversation with them.

Chorus has done a great job and I am very supportive of this. But it can still be even better.

-----

Hyperfibre definitely shows positive in Dannevirke to 4/4G but I don't know anyone who has it there. Some of the information on Chorus website about Hyperfibre coverage is out of date.

We are currently waiting for our address to be added. This is what the checker presently shows:

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nztim

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#3425189 15-Oct-2025 18:39

Talkiet:

nztim:

There is no replacement for fibre, and I have no problem with my taxpayer dollars been spent to ensure every household across nz has it and all other Technolgies FO

But that wont happen

LOL... No problem with your money being spent running fibre to Martins Bay Lodge? You're a way more generous person than I!

Cheers - N

They ran it to Haast so why not? :)

you had to pick the most remote part of NZ for that response :)

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Behodar

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#3425190 15-Oct-2025 18:44

nztim:

you had to pick the most remote part of NZ for that response :)

Fibre to Raoul Island when? :)

MichaelNZ

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#3425191 15-Oct-2025 18:49

nztim:

They ran it to Haast so why not? :)

Haast township looks like a general rollout but the Heartland Hotel probably paid.

Keep in mind when looking at the map a single property island of pink is a paid install.

Everyone with UFB goes on the map.

Rural schools are a common example. Its not hard to work out where there is a farm, home, or business which paid.

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