Trying to get minor dwelling address validated by Chorus via ISP

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Trying to get minor dwelling address validated by Chorus via ISP

b0jang

14 posts

Geek

#299120 12-Aug-2022 15:36

I maybe should have gone for more of a scattergun approach with the ISPs but after more than three weeks I haven't had any success going through the usual customer service routes for my request - getting my minor dwelling address validated for Chorus (via request from a RSP) so they can send a technician round to determine whether I can use the second port on the ONT in the front house or get a new ONT installed.

At least that's how I understand it, I've scoured Geekzone and found several useful posts by @Wheelbarrow01 - namely this one: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=49&topicid=284557&page_no=1#2699970 . I have the details ready to go although my power is submetered, but I pay separately.

I've been in contact with both 2degrees and Spark who are my preferred ISPs but neither company have managed to progress this (Spark gave me a T<number> email address to contact but there's been no reply for weeks). I spoke to someone really knowledgeable at 2degrees who went through a similar process for the duplex they live in to get fibre but alas I have to send these details through email and have ended up with someone different who's talking about a "legally divided property" - which I think is something completely different?

I'm hoping there might be some technical representatives from either company here on Geekzone I can contact, or if anyone knows of ISPs that are able to get this sussed that would be appreciated. For reference I'm located in Auckland.

quickymart

13924 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2953928 12-Aug-2022 16:00

Are you asking for an Address Validation? It needs the Lot and DP numbers (which you may already have) and the RSP just forwards it to Chorus to get it processed.

Assuming they've done this already, ask them to chase it up with Chorus for you.

b0jang

14 posts

Geek

#2953942 12-Aug-2022 16:37

quickymart:

Are you asking for an Address Validation? It needs the Lot and DP numbers (which you may already have) and the RSP just forwards it to Chorus to get it processed.

Assuming they've done this already, ask them to chase it up with Chorus for you.

The address validation is the part I'm having trouble with - I've supplied the details to the ISPs and chased up but not getting anywhere. That said I've contacted Voyager and the guy seemed pretty on to it. Have sent details on to them and hopefully that goes well.

The landlord and property manager are all good to go with a second port activation and running a cable, just need to get through this first part! ☹

Wheelbarrow01

1723 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Chorus

#2954072 12-Aug-2022 22:59

If your minor dwelling does not have its own standard power meter (with ICP number) and postal address, then it's likely that no RSP will be able to successfully complete an address validation for you. The bar for creating a new address is high because Chorus fibre address records are provided and maintained by Core Logic. One of their basic requirements is that the address has to exist in some form - an RSP can't just make one up for you. Suitable proof of an address existing usually includes a power meter connected under that address along with a matching postal address registered with NZ Post. Part of the reason for this is that Core Logic provides address data to emergency services. It's therefore imperative that this data is accurate and that the address actually exists.

In some situations you can get a second ONT installed, but if the minor dwelling is separately tenanted from the main dwelling, then the second ONT process is not available. Second ONTs are literally supposed to be a second ONT - usually for the same customer or household as the first ONT. If there is no relationship between you and the occupants of the main house, then this process will be unavailable to you. For example let's say a family lives in the main house, and the same family operates a home business from an auxiliary building onsite - a second ONT install to the aux building would be allowed (but the customer/owner would have to provide an underground duct and draw wire between the two buildings). In this scenario both ONTs use the exact same address, but as the two buildings are occupied by the same party or related parties, there is little chance of the two ONTs being confused. Same goes for a family where grandma lives in a granny flat out the back - essentially related parties. Two separately tenanted dwellings on the same land parcel do not meet this threshold.

Given you are on a sub meter for power (and likely do not have a separately registered postal address), your only remaining option might be to use the Multiple Primary process. This allows you to activate Port 2 on the existing ONT. Either you or your landlord/property manager would need to arrange a Cat 6 cable from the current ONT out to the minor dwelling. This could be as simple as plugging a cable into Port 2 of the existing ONT and running it out the window to the minor dwelling (not a recommendation). Realistically it would be better long term to engage a sparky or similar to install internal conduit and an underground 20mm duct outside - from the existing ONT location to the minor dwelling. No Chorus technician visit is required for this - it's literally a remote activation of the second port of the existing ONT.

Assuming the required Cat 6 cabling is in place, then all you need to do is give your RSP the address of the main house, and ask them to activate Port 2 with your preferred plan. From there, you plug your router into the cable that's been installed, and you are online. The only caveat here is that if the people in the main house switch the ONT off at the wall, or unplug your cable, then of course you will lose service. But this option means no further network installation from Chorus is required, and there is no pesky address validation issues to deal with. It's the simplest option given the circumstances you have provided.

*note that if you want voice service delivered over the ATA port, but the people in the main house already have voice delivered over ATA, then activating Port 2 is unlikely to be viable. This is because the current ONT version (Type 300) only has a single ATA port, so it's only possible to have a single ATA voice service. If you don't want a phone service (or the main house doesn't have it), then this will not be an issue.

I hope this helps :)

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

b0jang

14 posts

Geek

#2954076 13-Aug-2022 00:13

Thanks so much for the clarification, although sounds like I'll be sunk for the second ONT - the separate tenancies ruling out the second ONT was something I didn't consider. But does this include if both dwellings are owned by the same person?

Good to know I don't need to have separate mailbox, registered address etc for the second port activation - will wait to hear back from Voyager before I check with them about second port activation. Not sure where the ONT is in the main house but worst case we're probably looking at 50m of CAT6 cabling.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#2954089 13-Aug-2022 07:32

There's no point going around all the ISPs asking the same question - it's just wasting their time and yours. The rules are outlined above for you, and your situation does not appear eligible for another ONT install. You just need to pick the ISP/plan you want and sign up, making sure they the activate the connection on the 2nd ONT port.

b0jang

14 posts

Geek

#2954113 13-Aug-2022 09:22

RunningMan:

There's no point going around all the ISPs asking the same question - it's just wasting their time and yours. The rules are outlined above for you, and your situation does not appear eligible for another ONT install. You just need to pick the ISP/plan you want and sign up, making sure they the activate the connection on the 2nd ONT port.

Key point being 'does not appear eligible'. I could just have easily linked Chorus' page for Secondary RGW / ONT Requests which gives a definition for a minor dwelling:

A building would be considered a minor dwelling if it is self-contained with a separate kitchen, bathroom facilities and own separate power meter. Otherwise, it is classed as an auxiliary building e.g., garage or sleep out.

And so without the separate power meter it could be classed as an auxiliary building, allowing a secondary ONT install with disregard to tenancies or who owns either dwelling on that page. Anyway my point is that I had enough doubt reading that and talking to ISPs as to the eligibility of a secondary ONT that I had to post and ask here :)

quickymart

13924 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2954116 13-Aug-2022 09:24

Second port connections for a minor dwelling can be tricky - think if there's a fault with the ONT and techs need to access the property but can't because the homeowner isn't home at the time. Something worth thinking about.

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b0jang

14 posts

Geek

#2954178 13-Aug-2022 11:19

quickymart:

Second port connections for a minor dwelling can be tricky - think if there's a fault with the ONT and techs need to access the property but can't because the homeowner isn't home at the time. Something worth thinking about.

Yeah I would definitely prefer a second ONT and I'm sure the landlord would too - shame about the submetered power as I have everything else in place. I'm guessing from his perspective it's probably more simple to have the property manager manage the electricity/water and invoice each house accordingly than try and separate the utilities.