My UFB non-install

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raindr

16 posts

Geek

#107519 13-Aug-2012 20:38

I thought ppl might like to read about how I didn't get UFB installed.

About 9 months ago, I got a letter in the mail from Chorus saying that they were going to be digging up our street to put down fibre.
Awesome I thought. Depending on plans, prices etc, there could be UFB in my future.

The diggers came, they cut our power a couple of times, the water was wonky on & off for a week, and they hit the gas main at least once.
The diggers went.

I used Orcon's 'Is it ready yet' tool relentlessly - RSN it tells me.
I signned up my ISP's "tell me when it's ready" form - even though it looked decidedly less reliable.

After being advised on here that orcon's tool isn't always reliable, I eventually called snap a few weeks ago to find out if ufb really was available.

The news went like this: "Why Yes it is available!, oh. ....... no, apparently it isn't, ....... let me just check ... hmmmm, that should be, yes it looks like it is, I'll just have to put in a manual check, and call you back".

A week passed, and I hadn't had a call back :(
I called again; "Why Yes it is available!, oh. ....... no, apparently it isn't yet, ....... let me just check ... hmmmm, that should be, yes it looks like it is, I'll just have to put in a manual check, and call you back"

The second time round, I got the CSR's name, & a reference number. He told me he'd call back in 2 days.

Two days passed, and lo & behold, the phone rang! it was snap, "Yes, ADSL1, and ADSL2 are in fact available at your property!". It was the same CSR, but apparently he had completely forgotten our earlier conversation.
I asked " ... and ufb?", and he said no - because you live in a multi-tennant building, it won't be possible."
When I told him that I lived in a fully detached house, (no ROW or anything); "Hmm, I'll just check that for you .....hmmm, you're right."

"I'll have to pass this on to my team manager & they'll call you back with another update tomorrow."

... a day passes, and no "update" is forthcoming. At least he didn't call me back to try to sell me dialup.

So near, yet so far.
In the event I get an update, I'll let you know.
:P

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#671958 13-Aug-2012 20:56

Lol well done. Think they should take better notes :p.

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insane

3240 posts

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#671988 13-Aug-2012 21:49

Perhaps call another ISP?

raindr

16 posts

Geek

#672488 14-Aug-2012 20:39

Quick update:

Snap called back, not Michelle as was promised, but CSR#2 who I've been dealing with.

The problem is indeed strange, and I'm not the only one asking about this. (they won't say how many) They're going to email their chorus rep about it & they'll call me back in a couple of days.

As much as I take the mickey, they are doing a reasonable job of keeping me informed - even if they are quite slow with actual progress.

My only other option is to ask Orcon about it - my current ISP aren't yet offering ufb, and I figure I'd be back at square 1 with Orcon. Going to pursue snap for a while longer at least.

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

#672626 15-Aug-2012 09:24

I think the problem is UFB is new for everyone and they're still getting their systems in place to handle installs etc. I'm also waiting on a UFB install but it's Chorus that's slowing things down not Snap (we're in a multi tenanted building).

It is annoying to have to wait for UFB, especially when our cabinet went live ~3 months ago, but there's nothing we can do to speed it up.

lucky015

743 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#672790 15-Aug-2012 12:59

Seems to me problems are never going to be solved until Chorus stop trying to sidestep their obligations, Not really suprising considering they are part of the original Telecom and starting to look like the bad part at that.

Zeon

3916 posts

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#672795 15-Aug-2012 13:20

It's seriously complicated and as so many people on this forum are saying - it was the biggest thing overlooked in regards tot he entire UFB...

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linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#672928 15-Aug-2012 16:46

Agree, the installation work seems to have been glossed over. If this had been thought through, and costed realistically, we wouldn't have got UFB at all!!

There just doesn't seem any way mass connections can be handled.

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jackfry

227 posts

Master Geek

#673096 16-Aug-2012 01:50

I rang up my isp Telecom and asked them and they forwarded me onto chrous, then they said it wouldnt be ready till 2013 O.O So even though all the fibre has been laid in my street. So Im really confused now, I dont know who to ask to get the proper answer. Maybe the guys who are working on laying more around my subdivision/the people who will be on my sub exchange?

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#673106 16-Aug-2012 07:30

jackfry: I rang up my isp Telecom and asked them and they forwarded me onto chrous, then they said it wouldnt be ready till 2013 O.O So even though all the fibre has been laid in my street. So Im really confused now, I dont know who to ask to get the proper answer. Maybe the guys who are working on laying more around my subdivision/the people who will be on my sub exchange?

If you want UFB now you'll have to move to a provider who offers the service. Telecom announced several weeks ago they wouldn't be offering UFB services until early 2013, and other big ISP's such as Vodafone and TelstraClear are still only in a pre launch trial phase also.

jackfry

227 posts

Master Geek

#673163 16-Aug-2012 09:40

Seems as though in my neck of the woods they have lots of background work to do even though all the fibre is rolled out and will have to wait until next yr July >.<

Masada

17 posts

Geek

Trusted

#673178 16-Aug-2012 09:53

There are a number of challenges to UFB rollout, both physical and service oriented. Where and when the physical deployment occurs is largely the decision of Crown Fibre Holdings. Every region, neighborhood, and home will have it's own unique set of physical challenges. Once installed it becomes a service challenge to the retail service providers to create a connection for broadband and voice. Altogether there is a cast of hundreds of people involved in every install; home installers, construction crews, Chorus, Telecom, Crown Fibre, testers, service providers, provisioning reps, network engineers, and more. There will be a number of problems early, but keep speaking up constructively and deployment will get faster and better.

My posts reflect my best attempt at understanding and do not represent the views of my employer.

berry

61 posts

Master Geek

#673275 16-Aug-2012 13:03

Noodles: I think the problem is UFB is new for everyone and they're still getting their systems in place to handle installs etc. I'm also waiting on a UFB install but it's Chorus that's slowing things down not Snap (we're in a multi tenanted building).

It is annoying to have to wait for UFB, especially when our cabinet went live ~3 months ago, but there's nothing we can do to speed it up.

I'm in a similar situation by the sounds - Got a call with an offer to join the Vodafone trial in early June, but because i'm on a shared driveway it has taken 2 months and counting to actually get anywhere. The vodafone rep has been helpful and since its a trial i don't think its fair to complain, but it seems chorus can just take as long as they want to do stuff and no-one can do anything about it.

I sure hope they sort it out before trying to do larger install volumes!

Zeon

3916 posts

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#673283 16-Aug-2012 13:21

jackfry: Seems as though in my neck of the woods they have lots of background work to do even though all the fibre is rolled out and will have to wait until next yr July >.<

This probably isn't because there is lots to do but rather Telecom as an ISP won't be launching till then. if you talk to an ISP such as Orcon or Worldnet, they can probably provide you with UFB right now or in the very near future.

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raindr

16 posts

Geek

#673462 16-Aug-2012 20:12

So another call from Snap, and actual solution:

Chorus rep apparently said: yup, that's wrong. It's available, it just takes a while to enter the data to say it's available.

After that phonecall, I've run my address through Snap's website again, and it still says 'not available'.
Orcon's website though, says: YUP!

=Win.

Snap guy going to call back with price details shortly (since I can't proceed on their website yet, as it claims it's not available).

Hopefully there's UFB in my NEAR future!

raindr

16 posts

Geek

#673468 16-Aug-2012 20:16

Wait, WT ...?
I must have been using the wrong tool @orcon - I've just re-done it & it's saying "RSN" again.