New Build - IFSNZ (Help)

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restecp

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#309326 9-Oct-2023 10:19

Hi Team,

I'm hoping someone here could help with some guidance on this.

Long story but; in 2021 we (stupidly) purchased an off-plan new build.
What I liked about this developer is that they seemed to be quite forward-thinking around Technology implementation in the development and really pushed the idea of sustainability.

Based on this and the fact that we wanted to purchase we went through with the deal. Since then it has been an absolute pain, with the developers flip-flopping on my request to install ethernet throughout the house.
I eventually managed to get them across the line, but have since (during my inspection) found that they ran ethernet to one bedroom on the 3rd floor, but totally missed the second floor altogether (an issue for another day, though any ideas on how to get ethernet to the 2nd story would be fantastic).

Last week we received a pack from the developers talking about our Fibre & Power options in the development. It appears they have some agreement with a company called Infrastructure Solutions New Zealand/Infrastructure Fibre Solutions New Zealand. (https://infrastructuresolutions.co.nz/)
The blurb from the pack says;

"Your home has been pre-wired for fibre, making it easy and fast for you to get connected.
The fibre network to your home is an "open" network meaning any fibre retailer can sign on
to provide their services to you. The retailers that have signed on to date, and those coming
soon, are set out below. Contact one of these providers to get your fibre account set up and
connected."

With the document only shows: Community Power, Voyager, Switch, Megatell, Nova & Contact as options for fibre providers.
Is this normal? I have been happy using Spark, as my wife's company pays for this and this also covers our Netflix as it's bundled. I'm sure any homeowners know that any money saved is worth the effort.

I have contacted both Spark & OneNZ to discuss options with them, but it appears that IFSNZ is essentially a competitor to Chorus, and as their systems are set up to use Chorus from an infrastructure perspective, it means we can't use anyone else other than who has signed on with IFSNZ.
Both Spark and OneNZ Staff just keep insisting as they cant search our address in their systems they are unsure as to what to do and we just go around in circles.
The way I see it, if they aren't working with them currently, I doubt they will be willing to.
This is taken from the document:

"Why not Chorus?
Chorus is one Of many fibre operators within New Zealand. IFSNZ is another fibre operator
who is supplying fibre to your home. IFSNZ is an "open network" so any internet service
provider (ISP) can provide internet services on our network."

To be honest, I am kind of lost here, none of this was discussed pre-purchasing and would have (bundled with the issues of running ethernet through the house) been a red flag for me to purchase.

Self Hosting is an obsession of mine and I run a home server that currently is used for "linux ISO's", Expense tracking etc etc etc.

Has anyone had experience with IFSNZ?
What would you do in my shoes?
Am I just being a drama queen?

Appreciate your help hivemind.

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#3144464 9-Oct-2023 10:41

What does your purchase agreement say regarding internet? Going with an obscure provider with limited RSP support does feel like being had. I suspect it was probably cheaper for them to go with ISNZ instead of Chorus and Vector. That being said, Voyager tends to be considered one of the better RSPs by people on here. Looking at ISNZ's site, it looks like your options for electricity retailers are limited as well.

As for ethernet, if your purchase agreement stated ethernet to places that it hasn't been run to, I'd be making them fix that.

restecp

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#3144466 9-Oct-2023 10:50

Aaron2222:

What does your purchase agreement say regarding internet? Going with an obscure provider with limited RSP support does feel a bit like being had. I suspect it was probably cheaper to go with ISNZ then Chorus and Vector. That being said, Voyager tends to be considered one of the better RSPs by people on here. Looking at ISNZ's site, it looks like your options for electricity retailers are limited as well.

As for ethernet, if your purchase agreement stated ethernet to places that it hasn't been run to, I'd be making them fix that.

Nothing in the S&P about internet. To go a little further, I queried this pre agreeing to purchase they came back through the real estate agent saying no issue. My Mistake was not getting this in writing (stupid I know) They then flip-flopped on it and after about 6 months of me nagging I managed to get them to send an email stating;

"Apologies to your buyer as I thought we discussed him being in the I Block.
We have today upgraded CAT6 to upper floors for your buyer. If they
want to upgrade further the cabling is already in wall for him.
Cheers"

They haven't terminated the Cat6 on the top floor, that's not an issue I can do that. My issue is in their wording where they use the plural floors. To me this would mean the expectation has been set that I would get (at least) 1 ethernet port per floor.
I intend to chase this, but at the speed these people work I still need a working solution for now. I'm most likely going to just run flat cat6 around the skirting as a temporary solution.

I actually just called IFSNZ, and spoke to some lady there who said that the larger ISPs have declined to work with them and got a little shitty at me when I said that for me as a consumer that's a bit of a red flag.

I agree on the limited power options too, really really unhappy about that one.

quickymart

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#3144468 9-Oct-2023 10:55

Sounds quite similar to Pegasus in North Canterbury - the community mostly covered with TCL/Vodafone cable, with no DSL or fibre available (or barely) at all.

freitasm

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#3144482 9-Oct-2023 11:36

Not answering your question directly but of the list you provided, Voyager is the one most people will know around here, I guess.

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restecp

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#3144535 9-Oct-2023 11:45

freitasm:

Not answering your question directly but of the list you provided, Voyager is the one most people will know around here, I guess.

Thanks man,

Spoke to them on the phone today and was really impressed with the reps knowledge and understanding.
A little less worried now knowing they are a decent choice!

nztim

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#3144549 9-Oct-2023 12:28

What area are you in? they may be the local LFC in your area, contracted by the developer just like Enable in Christchurch, Northpower in Whangarei, Tuatahi in the waikato

In saying that I have never heard of IFSNZ do they even have a website?

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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nztim

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#3144550 9-Oct-2023 12:29

quickymart:

Sounds quite similar to Pegasus in North Canterbury - the community mostly covered with TCL/Vodafone cable, with no DSL or fibre available (or barely) at all.

Yup an exclusive ONENZ HFC area

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

restecp

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#3144551 9-Oct-2023 12:31

nztim:

What area are you in? they may be the local LFC in your area, contracted by the developer just like Enable in Christchurch, Northpower in Whangarei, Tuatahi in the waikato

In saying that I have never heard of IFSNZ do they even have a website?

Hey, No it appears from the document they were chosen based on a range of factors, but most likely price knowing these developers.
Their website is: https://infrastructuresolutions.co.nz/

nztim

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#3144552 9-Oct-2023 12:33

Another case in Nelson where a small company "Network Tasman" got build rights in the area over Chorus

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124304216/mindboggling-spark-vodafone-say-fibre-too-costly-for-residents-near-nelson

Appears the "big boys" are only interested in selling in the larger fiber areas, fewer ISPs are interested in the smaller areas.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

nztim

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#3144554 9-Oct-2023 12:40

restecp:
Hey, No it appears from the document they were chosen based on a range of factors, but most likely price knowing these developers.
Their website is: https://infrastructuresolutions.co.nz/

Developers own the land at the start of the development project, the candidate areas for what company provided for exiting dwellings was set out by the Government as they paid for it, now that developers have to pay for fibre to be installed in new developments, they will be weighing up company's other than Chorus to lay fibre in the development.

The downside is when a smaller company wins the contract to build fibre in the area not every RSP is signed up with that Fibre company, which leads to frustration to the consumer which you are experiencing.

Same thing with the ports of Auckland where one company has exclusive rights to all fibre in the area and limits residences in the area to specific providers.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

restecp

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#3144560 9-Oct-2023 13:04

Yeah I've just been reading about it. I guess for most average people this isn't too much of an issue or really a concern.

I was truly blown away that these developers when I questioned why there were no ethernet ports throughout the house asked me If I'd heard of WiFi.

That's truly the other issue it seems, there's no rules or legislation around future-proofing homes at all.
The cost to run ethernet while the walls are open is a fraction of the cost post gib installation.

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nztim

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#3144561 9-Oct-2023 13:08

restecp:
I was truly blown away that these developers when I questioned why there were no ethernet ports throughout the house asked me If I'd heard of WiFi.

Hope you got these added in (at not too much additional cost)

Sorry to hear about the lack of RSPs on that chosen fibre network, however as others have said Voyager is an excellent RSP

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

quickymart

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#3144583 9-Oct-2023 14:21

nztim:

Another case in Nelson where a small company "Network Tasman" got build rights in the area over Chorus

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124304216/mindboggling-spark-vodafone-say-fibre-too-costly-for-residents-near-nelson

Appears the "big boys" are only interested in selling in the larger fiber areas, fewer ISPs are interested in the smaller areas.

That situation appears to be a subdivision, that probably didn't exist when the rollout was done through Nelson, so it wouldn't have been covered - it lies just outside the rollout area. I daresay in this scenario the developer arranged to get fibre installed themselves and paid the LFC directly, just choosing not to use Chorus to do it.

restecp

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#3144672 9-Oct-2023 17:42

nztim:

restecp:
I was truly blown away that these developers when I questioned why there were no ethernet ports throughout the house asked me If I'd heard of WiFi.

Hope you got these added in (at not too much additional cost)

Sorry to hear about the lack of RSPs on that chosen fibre network, however as others have said Voyager is an excellent RSP

Luckily the one they ran to the top floor they didn't charge for. More concerned about the 2nd story sadly which is where my and the wife's offices are.
Once we settle on Wednesday, this will be the first thing I chase these developers up on. I hope they come to the table and install it for me.

nztim

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#3144676 9-Oct-2023 18:28

restecp:

Luckily the one they ran to the top floor they didn't charge for. More concerned about the 2nd story sadly which is where my and the wife's offices are.
Once we settle on Wednesday, this will be the first thing I chase these developers up on. I hope they come to the table and install it for me.

If the walls have been lined already it is going to be a mess to get it right.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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