I suppose over time inflation eats away at what little profit they were making per install job.

Although I do not live in a "Downer" fibre area, this development worries me.

Fibre is still three years away in our part of Wellington - we're at the bottom of the list.

How good will fibre installs be by the end of the "free"/subsidized roll-out period (December 2019)?

Every month we hear more horror stories of shonky installs by underpaid sub-sub-contractors.

I can't say I'm surprised to be fair, the UFB roll out probably hasn't been the most profitable thing Downer has done.

Is this just for UFB installs?

what about the non-UFB work? eg Vodafone, FX, Teamtalk etc

Sideface:

 

Although I do not live in a "Downer" fibre area, this development worries me.

 

Fibre is still three years away in our part of Wellington - we're at the bottom of the list.

 

How good will fibre installs be by the end of the "free"/subsidized roll-out period (December 2019)?

 

Every month we hear more horror stories of shonky installs by underpaid sub-sub-contractors.

 

After seeing the difference between my Mum's fibre install compared to her neighbours' install done two years ago I do not hold high hopes at all. Tacked to an iron fence vs. trenched and buried for practically identical properties. =/

ps2jak2:

 

I can't say I'm surprised to be fair, the UFB roll out probably hasn't been the most profitable thing Downer has done.

 

I don't imagine that for any UFB installer turning up to one job site, setting up their tools and equipment and completing the job within a day or two, then packing up and starting at another random location in another suburb miles away is an efficient use of their resources.

DarthKermit:

 

ps2jak2:

 

I can't say I'm surprised to be fair, the UFB roll out probably hasn't been the most profitable thing Downer has done.

 

 

I don't imagine that for any UFB installer turning up to one job site, setting up their tools and equipment and completing the job within a day or two, then packing up and starting at another random location in another suburb miles away is an efficient use of their resources.

 

You've just described the job for all tradies and they seem to be doing OK.

The key difference perhaps being your plumber or your sparkie are making a worthwhile return for their effort and Downers have decided that they are not.

DarthKermit:

 

The key difference perhaps being your plumber or your sparkie are making a worthwhile return for their effort and Downers have decided that they are not.

 

Yep, the number of contracting businesses that go under every year is staggering though.

Downer did my install recently, and have to say they did a very good job, and the staff were professional and on time. Also surrounding neighbors are all happy with theirs, and the installs were nothing like the horror stories in the media. All cables appear to be buried, and all work is tidy. So it is a pity that they are pulling out.

Not surprising. After loosing the patch in greater Manawatu area I think that showed they didn't really want to fight.

Do they still have their original copper patches around the place? And they still do the work for Vodafone i guess too.

chevrolux:

 

Not surprising. After loosing the patch in greater Manawatu area I think that showed they didn't really want to fight.

 

Do they still have their original copper patches around the place? And they still do the work for Vodafone i guess too.

 

Yep no change to the Copper / General Fibre / Radio / RBI world

They are just pulling out as from next year from All Chorus UFB/NGA installs Nation Wide (No change at present to Faults BAU)

(as for now I just follow behind the install contractors (non Downer), in the Manawatu/Horowhenua Area, cleaning up any damage or anything they mis during the installs - keeps me employed)

 

Yep no change to the Copper / General Fibre / Radio / RBI world

 

They are just pulling out as from next year from All Chorus UFB/NGA installs Nation Wide (No change at present to Faults BAU)

 

 

 

(as for now I just follow behind the install contractors (non Downer), in the Manawatu/Horowhenua Area, cleaning up any damage or anything they mis during the installs - keeps me employed)

 

They still have the UFB which is the building of the fibre network / communal build.  They are giving up the NGA which is from the communal build (boundary) to the house / ONT.

It not funny when Downers keeps telling their NGA staff that they are keeping the UFB Design / Build work because this is what they are good at, when in fact the design / build work is not designed / built for the end provisioner (NGA installer).  They have to work harder / longer / faster because of poor design (Design / build work is paid by codes per boundary so it is design / built to maximise profit in these two areas), all while they are paid the same codes as if the design / build was done with the provisioner / end user in mind.

 This has also resulted in lowering of the standards by Downers own staff,although most would meet the Chorus Standard.

I do pity the new contractors who will have to provision off this poorly design network, and yes we will blame that new contractor.

Ruggerdise / surface mount was introduced by Chorus so it could keep deployment costs down, and means the end user could enjoy a "Free Standard Installation"

Yes there are many staff / contractors out there that cut some corners to make a buck, but the majority will do a reasonable job which includes a surface mount option.

Yes there is are Chorus Installation Standards which Techs should know and should be measured against, and as I said the ruggerdise / surface mount options when done to these chorus standards form part of the "Free Standard Installation"

Try getting a new water main, power main, gas main from boundary to house and seeing how much you will have to contribute, and yet we expect a free fibre install?

We expect free fibre installs because the UFB roll out promised that (with certain conditions).