Hi all,

 

 

I just need to vent or maybe get some encouraging words that keep me from going insane.

 

 

So my UFB scope was done end of July. Guy came and said that my property had some challenges (which I do agree with). The 1st was that the telephone termination was inside a wall! Luckily renovation work i had done had uncovered that and I have provided access to that now. I have also pulled the right fibre cable inside the house from the termination point to where the ONT is supposed to go (a very happy Chorus guy there). Problem #2 is just the sheer complexity and distance for the cable to go to the property border. That will be an exercise in physical viability to pull the cable in. We'll just have to try and see. But...

 

 

So problem #3 is where we're stuck at. I have a steel pole on my property that is ingres for (currently) copper telephone/VDSL and power. Chorus/Visionstream says they need a liftbench or similar to get up there and do the work. They can't use a ladder. We're talking 5min about 4-4.5m up (1m less if they use the neighbors property, which is no problem at all). While I think it's totally overblown to use a lift bench for that, so be it.

 

 

So, install date gets cancelled and a "provisionary" date of end of August is set. And I wait and call and ask for updates... nothing. End of August rolls around. Nothing. I call and they tell me they think I they will need a lift bench. I say that's been clear since July. "Oh! let me talk to my boss". Then they said they needed an clearance from the power company to access the pole. that was given. Apparently the visionstream turned up but then noticed "they need a lift bench". September just more of "oh we need a lift bench" and "we don't have access right". October, more of the same. And I am talking to Chorus and 2degrees. Both are not able to escalate or give me any dates or assure me there's any dependable process.

 

 

While they might have all in control and this may be the (sad) way things happen, what get's me is the sheer lack of comms and the effort I have to go through calling them. Best one was a call from them where I had to verify myself to them just so that they could tell me "There has been no update". I quickly put down the phone so I wouldn't loose it to the poor girl at the call center that is only informing a customer.

 

 

Anyway, I now understand the many people frustrated with the process. It's not the time it takes -which is not ideal but UFB rollout is a challenge- but the lack of transparency and communication. The fact that 3 parties are involved that cannot communicate amongst each other either and that there is no process at all for exception scenarios or being able to think a bit outside the box to get things progressed.

 

 

I am left with status quo and a statement from Chorus going "usually it takes 2w to organise a lift bench. If that hasn't happened please call us again".

 

 

Thanks for listening

 

Oliver

 

 

P.S. Maybe if I hold up a Chorus van and hijack them to my house.... *buwahahahaha*