UFB Availability - Spark Website has changed to say 'Coming Soon'

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Chrisclarke

136 posts

Master Geek

#191509 6-Feb-2016 17:38

Popped onto the spark website to change my data limit plan today. It asked for my address and I notice that as well as the usual ADSL and VDSL options it now says Ultrafast Fibre - Coming Soon. This definitely didn't pop up when I moved to this property in July last year.

The Chorus map doesn't reflect this and when I called Spark (couldn't change the plan online) the chap although helpful wasn't able to provide any information re. fibre just to say it wasn't available yet.

Does anyone know if this change means there is now some firm plan to provide fibre here? If so where can I find out what the timescales are?

If it helps I'm on Mount Cook Road in Fairlie.

Thanks as always for the help that's always forthcoming when i ask a question on here!

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5325 posts

Uber Geek

#1486605 6-Feb-2016 18:19

I don't recall Fairlie being on the UFB expansion list - anyone?

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1486611 6-Feb-2016 18:26

For the record, if you put in a rural address (well, mine anyway) you get "Coming soon" too and we are not near a UFB deployment technically (point: Don't trust that Coming Soon, trust Chorus maps).

Ironically, also says VDSL unavailable, which is funny, because Spark are currently serving it up to us...

Chrisclarke

136 posts

Master Geek

#1486613 6-Feb-2016 18:32

That's interesting - it's a change to the Spark website then. It hasn't mentioned UFB in any way as an option before. I wonder why they've done that if it isn't true. Bit misleading really! I wondered if it was to try and gauge interest to build a case for rollout but I'd have thought it would say that. Coming Soon is pretty specific!

Stu

Hammered
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#1486622 6-Feb-2016 18:47

Just a general "watch this space" sort of comment I think. As mentioned above by @nigelj, trust the Chorus maps, as they'll be updated before the Spark maps are.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Chrisclarke

136 posts

Master Geek

#1486629 6-Feb-2016 18:54

Thanks for all the above. However 'Coming Soon' implies some kind of immediacy, which it seems there isn't. On the Chorus maps it isn't even marked as post 2017, so clearly not 'soon' in any sense of the word!

I wondered, if the schools are being connected and they are running fibre to Tekapo school, it would likely run right in front of our property. Could that be a factor - or would that be shown on the Chorus map too? Or is the schools initiative totally separate from domestic provision?

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1486633 6-Feb-2016 19:01

Chrisclarke:

Thanks for all the above. However 'Coming Soon' implies some kind of immediacy, which it seems there isn't. On the Chorus maps it isn't even marked as post 2017, so clearly not 'soon' in any sense of the word!

I wondered, if the schools are being connected and they are running fibre to Tekapo school, it would likely run right in front of our property. Could that be a factor - or would that be shown on the Chorus map too? Or is the schools initiative totally separate from domestic provision?

Actually, what I suspect is that Spark have somehow reverted back to some old sorta code, because I remember in the infancy of the UFB project having the "Coming soon" tag for UFB, then it went away to "Not Available", and in the last month or two it's returned.

Rural schools should already be connected and there was some provision outside of the standard UFB free-install rollout project for people to connect up via their schools at-cost. My personal advice, take a no on the Chorus site at face value unless you hear otherwise. (There may be a stage 2 rollout, where some extra areas are announced, but I don't know when/if that announcement is still expected/due)

Chrisclarke

136 posts

Master Geek

#1486634 6-Feb-2016 19:05

Great- really helpful thank you! I thought it was too good to be true so didn't get too excited!

Batman

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#1486650 6-Feb-2016 21:07

It will happen extremely close to the date that the Chorus map says. It was exactly when it said so for me.

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Jase2985

9730 posts

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#1486790 7-Feb-2016 09:36

mine says coming soon too, but im not due till 2019, take it with a grain of salt

Behodar

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#1486820 7-Feb-2016 10:05

nigelj: Rural schools should already be connected and there was some provision outside of the standard UFB free-install rollout project for people to connect up via their schools at-cost.

Chorus' map shows a small amount of rural fibre in Fairlie but unfortunately none on Mt Cook Rd (therefore the installation cost will be higher).

hyperman

414 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1486828 7-Feb-2016 10:21

put in ANY address and it will say "coming soon" even if there is a snowball's chance in hell of UFB ever been laid

so in my view kinda misleading....

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer

quickymart

5325 posts

Uber Geek

#1486877 7-Feb-2016 12:19

hyperman:

put in ANY address and it will say "coming soon" even if there is a snowball's chance in hell of UFB ever been laid

so in my view kinda misleading....

Not always.

hyperman

414 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1486932 7-Feb-2016 12:57

quickymart:

hyperman:

put in ANY address and it will say "coming soon" even if there is a snowball's chance in hell of UFB ever been laid

so in my view kinda misleading....

Not always.

so adsl/vdsl is a no go ....

but I should be able to get ufb soon at the cape Reingia lighthouse!! Yeah Na....

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer

quickymart

5325 posts

Uber Geek

#1486957 7-Feb-2016 13:50

That's the Spark website. I thought you were referring to the Chorus website.

Yes, I just tried an address in Haast (where there is no fixed line broadband whatsoever) and was also told it was "coming soon"...but I doubt it will happen there.

hyperman

414 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1486969 7-Feb-2016 14:09

quickymart:

That's the Spark website. I thought you were referring to the Chorus website.

Yes, I just tried an address in Haast (where there is no fixed line broadband whatsoever) and was also told it was "coming soon"...but I doubt it will happen there.

yes that is what the op was referring to..

seems that spark believe that some time in the future there will be %100 UFB coverage ...

and to quote Fox Mulder "I want to believe" lmfao

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer

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