I live in Rotorua. Last year fibre was run up my street. I would like some advice as to whether I should take advantage now of the, currently subsidized, ‘free’ installation.

ADSL is quite adequate for my requirements. To use UFB has several disadvantages for me. It will cost me more, in initial cost for router and cable (and a UPS if I want to be independent of a mains failure, plus damage to my house by the installation), and also running costs. My current retail provider (Flip) doesn’t support UFB (yet). And all alternatives cost more for Flip’s service, delivered over copper.

My question is, for how long is the copper network (and retailers access to it) likely to be maintained? This sounds like a “How long is a piece of string?” question, but I do not want to be forced to subscribe to something that I did not ask for, or need. Time I came into the 21st century? That’s cheek! “You paid taxes for UFB, so you may as well get it…”  Sure, if I was Chorus, for example, I would cut the copper off asap. 

Ultimately the decision will be ‘political’. I don’t trust our politicians….or their dogs. Does anyone have a clue as to when the provision of ‘phone services by copper will be officially discontinued (ie be not required by a service agreement)? And be uncompetitive in price with fibre? After all, I have paid a small fortune over the years for the legacy network.