Back in NZ - want to understand UFB

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Back in NZ - want to understand UFB

jonherries

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#226250 28-Dec-2017 11:07

So we are back in NZ (will be back in Wellington next week), and have done sign ups for electric and gas today. But have come to the internet access question and UFB appears to be the way to go. But I have a question:

Looking at Spark (lol not Telecom), they will install UFB for free. Looking at Bigpipe who don't do VLAN tagging which would be nice for my AEBS, they don’t describe how or whether they will install UFB and how much it would cost, but they appear to provide the service?

From what I have read it appears someone needs to run the fibre from the street to your house and terminate it? I am guessing Chorus does this? How long does it take from order to delivery in Wellington?

Thanks for any advice/assistance.

Jon

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#1926036 28-Dec-2017 11:13

No one can tell you how long it will take to install it. Could be a week could never happen.

Don't worry about VLAN tagging, You are buying a IP connection.

Not sure what you mean by AEBS but the trucks we look after have that on their trailers (Advanced Electronic Braking System)

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DarkShadow

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#1926037 28-Dec-2017 11:16

All UFB installs will be done by the fibre company in your area (Chorus in Wellington).

You order with the ISP of your choice (Spark, Bigpipe, etc) and they send the order to Chorus. Chorus will then send some subcontractors around to do the digging and drilling.

Fibre installation is usually free (with any ISP) unless you have a really complex case.

How long is an interesting question. If you're lucky, you can get it tomorrow, if you're unlucky it may be 2019. Ask your ISP for details.

Here's a Bigpipe blog post about the fibre install process.

mike

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#1926048 28-Dec-2017 11:33

Bigpipe + AirPort Extreme is a great UFB setup. Used that for close to two years and wifi was better than what I have now (Spark twelve month promo contract with their router)

Bigpipe connection fee incl. UFB install is $49

jonherries

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#1926061 28-Dec-2017 11:44

Thanks for the replies:

AEBS = Airport Extreme Base Station

Do we just have no internet until the UFB is installed? How does the ISP manage that until it is installed (do they give us VDSL)? Can they tell me when it will be installed if I call?

The chorus website says two weeks for install in the Eastern Suburbs? Apparently we are an SDU on the chorus website, and the house has flat access - does that make it faster?

Jon

michaelmurfy

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#1926064 28-Dec-2017 11:50

All ISP's offer a free UFB install.

I'd recommend Spark, BigPipe or Voyager (not specifically in that order) for a connection. It is personal preference, but they're all great ISP's. From here, request ADSL/VDSL first if your property doesn't already have UFB and then ask them to do a UFB order (so you're not without a connection whilst this is happening). As for VLAN tagging it doesn't really matter as long as you're using a router with support for it. Both Voyager and Spark VLAN their connections and BigPipe can do so via request (I've personally got a VLAN'd BigPipe connection).

BigPipe often have deals on GrabOne like this one. When combined with a Referral code (like the one in my signature) it makes it one of the cheapest options out there.

Edit: Just note the Airport is not at all suitable for a Gigabit connection. At most, 200/20 should be fine. It is quite underpowered as a router.

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DarthKermit

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#1926073 28-Dec-2017 12:11

Have you checked that UFB is available at your new address yet? There are still fairly large areas in Welly that don't have UFB rolled out yet.

quickymart

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#1926074 28-Dec-2017 12:14

I would do that first as well - get an ADSL/VDSL connection. Once that's up and running (and only at that point) then go ahead and place an order for fibre.

If you're trying to do it so fibre is installed the day you move in, I can categorically state that it probably won't happen.

cruxis

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#1926075 28-Dec-2017 12:16

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact. Then you can have your house fibre connected with ever having to use it. When your ready just call any ISP and tell them you have a ONT installed and is ready to go.

sbiddle

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#1926080 28-Dec-2017 12:30

cruxis:

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact.

I've never ever heard of such a scenario happening.

sbiddle

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#1926082 28-Dec-2017 12:32

As pointed out above the Airport Extreme is a low spec device that doesn't support VLAN tagging and despite Michael saying it should work on 200Mbps, I personally wouldn't use one on anything more than a 100Mbps connection as it will seriously struggle if you have high throughout and/or lots of devices.

Until you have lodged a connection you're not going to get dates for for scoping and the install. If you want ADSL/VDSL as a temporary measure you'll need to organise that with your RSP.

quickymart

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#1926106 28-Dec-2017 12:37

sbiddle:

cruxis:

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact.

I've never ever heard of such a scenario happening.

Agreed, I know that Chorus normally don't do it.

DarkShadow

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#1926108 28-Dec-2017 12:46

sbiddle:

cruxis:

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact.

I've never ever heard of such a scenario happening.

Here's the link for Chorus and here's the link for Enable.

DarkShadow

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#1926110 28-Dec-2017 12:53

jonherries:

The chorus website says two weeks for install in the Eastern Suburbs? Apparently we are an SDU on the chorus website, and the house has flat access - does that make it faster?

In Wellington, often Chorus will need permission from the power company to install fibre and that will delay the install significantly.

I do encourage you to get fibre installed, just letting you know to not expect it to be done quickly and plan accordingly.

sbiddle

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#1926124 28-Dec-2017 13:09

DarkShadow:

sbiddle:

cruxis:

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact.

I've never ever heard of such a scenario happening.

Here's the link for Chorus and here's the link for Enable.

These are some very specific trials in some very specific locations. Such scenarios are happening in some greenfields subdivisions as well where the ONT will be pre-installed in the house.

This however is not the norm, and not how 99% of installs are done.

Linux

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#1926161 28-Dec-2017 14:23

cruxis:

Often you LFC (enable/chrorus etc)contacts you to get fibre installed skipping any ISP contact. Then you can have your house fibre connected with ever having to use it. When your ready just call any ISP and tell them you have a ONT installed and is ready to go.

Say what and since when?

Linux

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