$2,500 for copper install???

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PhantomNVD

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Topic # 192170 29-Feb-2016 17:27

So chorus just came back with a $2,600 quote to install copper to my boundary. I'm a measly 845m from the closest fibre/cabinet (on the gz map) at the nearest school up the road, so just into VDSL range, and the nearest grey telecom pillar is directly over the road from my own boundary conduit [new build].

For that price I should be able to get overhead fibre installed surely? I'm in a Counties Power area, and happy to PM anyone my address if that would help ascertain my options more clearly.

I'm currently on a "Skinny broadband" pack, at the very edge of reception, so 15/0.5 is better than my old adsl 1/0.7 but definitely not a patch on VDSL unlimited, or decent fibre...

Any help or advice in improving my options would be great fully appreciated!

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Reply # 1501677 29-Feb-2016 17:53

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Sounds like a normal price for a pillar cut in and thrust across road

hio77

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Reply # 1501705 29-Feb-2016 18:14

snap used to specialize in special rural installations, i would assume under 2degrees they still do.

your already questioning the possibility so have you asked them to see if chorus can offer something over fibre from the cabinet? certainly cant hurt to ask before you pay for the copper.

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toejam316

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Reply # 1501707 29-Feb-2016 18:15

Yep, I do a fair bit of build work and from what I've heard from customers, depending on what the job requires, it often ranges in the low 4 figures, depending on the extent of work. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a like it or lump it situation, as Chorus now charges the entire cost of installation to the end user, as the Copper network is now seen as legacy, soon to be made redundant. If you're in a UFB area, talk to the LFC about your options through them, but I've got a feeling you'll be coughing up the funds or toughing it out for a few months minimum on mobile data/skinny broadband.

chevrolux

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Reply # 1501715 29-Feb-2016 18:28

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Yep this is just the "new" (as in the last 18-24 months) policy of copper installs. It used to be if the network went past your place as long as you paid the ~$100 install cost for a service lead they would cut in a pillar (including a road thrust, extra aerial spans etc) for free. UFB is the only thing getting installed for "free" these days.

To be fair it's what the power companies have been doing for years and years - whats the bill to get your power connected compared to this?.. i suspect many more dollars.

DarkShadow

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Reply # 1501716 29-Feb-2016 18:30

If you're not already in a UFB zone, getting fibre installed could cost you 5 figures easily. When are you getting fibre?

PhantomNVD

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Reply # 1501726 29-Feb-2016 18:48

I've now lodged a request for a breakdown of charges, but at this price I'd expect they are running new wire right back to the cabinet!
As I'm not in the UFB arm of Tuakau, but the cabinet there supplies fibre to the schools, if my quote is to run copper back to the cabinet, how much more might it be if they just blew fibre through instead of copper I wonder?

toejam316

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Reply # 1501727 29-Feb-2016 18:53

Nope, cable and heatshrinks are NOT cheap (not gonna divulge exact costs, because I'm not sure I'm meant to know, and I'm pretty confident that I'm not supposed to tell if I do), but suffice to say, once you account for cable, labour, heat shrinks and all that fun jazz, you're getting your dollars worth.

PhantomNVD

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Reply # 1501728 29-Feb-2016 18:54

chevrolux:
To be fair it's what the power companies have been doing for years and years - whats the bill to get your power connected compared to this?.. i suspect many more dollars.

To trench and cable my 450v 3 phase power 100m from the nearest transformer cost me $1600 to the nearest boundary.
Water was $1300 for a meter and connection from the pipe passing along the fence line... So $2500 for old tech (limited time) copper seems ridiculous, especially with a clauses like:

Should others use the cabling extension created for this property to connect to the Chorus network, you will have no right of refund from Chorus.
AND
The new cabling will form part of the Chorus Network and Chorus retains ownership of this infrastructure.

While I see I'm probable a long rate of return customer, charging me full cost for something they retain ownership of 'in perpetuity' is just a ripoff (even if it's customary!)

Seriously though, what other reasonable choices do I have for a decent (250gb+) cap and good speed internet. Even a double portion 120gb/$110 Skinny cap will surely struggle with Netflix/neon etc on a reasonably regular basis, wouldn't it?

toejam316

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Reply # 1501729 29-Feb-2016 19:00

PhantomNVD:
chevrolux:
To be fair it's what the power companies have been doing for years and years - whats the bill to get your power connected compared to this?.. i suspect many more dollars.

To trench and cable my 450v 3 phase power 100m from the nearest transformer cost me $1600 to the nearest boundary.
Water was $1300 for a meter and connection from the pipe passing along the fence line... So $2500 for old tech (limited time) copper seems ridiculous, especially with a clauses like:

Should others use the cabling extension created for this property to connect to the Chorus network, you will have no right of refund from Chorus.
AND
The new cabling will form part of the Chorus Network and Chorus retains ownership of this infrastructure.

It's an extention to the Chorus Network, so of course they're not going to give you ownership, nor say to someone "Sorry, the network's in place, but the last dude wants $1500 in compensation for when he originally paid for it". The costs incurred and charged to you are (mostly) for the actual costs of extending the network so that you can access it.

DarkShadow

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Reply # 1501747 29-Feb-2016 19:29

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PhantomNVD: how much more might it be if they just blew fibre through instead of copper I wonder?

Ask your ISP to do a NGA on Application quote for you if you want to know.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1501748 29-Feb-2016 19:33

PhantomNVD:

For that price I should be able to get overhead fibre installed surely?

Try asking for a price for fibre. You'll probably find the copper price to be a bargain.

The price you quoted represents full cost recovery which is now the norm for copper. Given what you've said the cost seems pretty reasonable.

People seem to forget the true cost of UFB installations because they're "free" - while many are now fixed price jobs of around $1600 (from memory) it's not uncommon for UFB installs to still be $3k - $4k upwards.

PhantomNVD

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Reply # 1501768 29-Feb-2016 19:48

Well with my luck the subsidy will have long since been stopped by the time Chorus want to do my area :(

So what are my other options then please?

I'm looking for a speed 10Mb/s or above and at least 200Gb (if I have to have any cap at all) installed for sub $500.

Unfortunately, it would be a hard sell to SWMBO for a cost beyond $120/month...

toejam316

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Reply # 1501770 29-Feb-2016 19:54

All I can recommend is you look into offerings from Vodafone and Telecom, as well as Primo, Lightwire and all the other wireless providers if you want a cheap install - because you won't be getting anything done below 4 digits from Chorus, and if an LFC isn't in your area, and you want Fiber, Chorus will charge you a pretty penny (more than copper, certainly).

sbiddle

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Reply # 1501771 29-Feb-2016 19:56

As you pointed out in another thread this was a new property. This is quite relevant because connecting up the property and liasing with Chorus is a normal process of a developer when building a property / subdivision or even subdividing a property.

Your choices are either pay the $2500 (which seems reasonable given the work) or install nothing and let the person who buys it rely on mobile data or a local wireless provider if there is one.

Paying for telco services is no different to paying to be connected to power, waste water and reticulated water - all will have connection costs at some point. They're really just part of building a new property.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1501773 29-Feb-2016 19:57

If you want an idea of a fibre quote the last one I got for around 100m to a cabinet was $15k

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