wireless broadband and landline

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iamsammajor

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#325560 15-Sep-2026 07:16

Hi everyone,

Checking if anyone has had a similar experience or has any ideas for me.

We’re setting up a new workshop, but when I tried to sign up for broadband, we were told that our address doesn’t have a fibre connection available.

Getting fibre installed down our roughly 100m driveway would cost around $10k, so the suggested alternative was wireless broadband. That’s totally fine with us — until we were told that if we want to have a landline as well, we can only go on the 50Mbps wireless plan.

I’m not sure if this is just a Spark limitation or if it’s the same across other providers.

What’s the 21st-century solution if we want faster internet AND a landline number at the same time? 😂

any help will be appreciated :)

thanks,

Sam

Stu

Hammered
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#3527927 15-Sep-2026 10:19

Get the wireless connection you want, then get a VOIP number from someone else?

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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robjg63

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#3527941 15-Sep-2026 10:58

Someone has to say it....

Starlink?

And as noted above, get a VOIP line from someone else (2Talk/Kiwivoip)

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

richms

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#3527945 15-Sep-2026 11:05

If its just your own driveway that is the problem, then get out there and dig it yourself rather than paying a multi layer markup structure to have some sub-sub contractor to a supplier to the telco to come out and do the digging.

Realistically why do you need a landline tho? Just use mobiles and get a starlink or 5g connection for data and job done. If its because boomers are scared to call a mobile then plenty of providers do landline on your mobile or you can get a voip provider and just forward that to the mobile at your cost.

Richard rich.ms

Wheelbarrow01

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#3528016 15-Sep-2026 13:06

I'm interested to understand the specific circumstances that apply here. You state fibre is not currently available and to get it "down the driveway" would cost circa $10k.

Is the address inside the UFB zone, or outside?

If it's inside the zone but not available, was the land parcel subdivided and/or your building constructed after fibre was laid down the street?

There are several standard (ie free) installation methods available depending on topography of the site, however if the land parcel title and/or building did not exist when fibre was laid in the street, then an Infill Build charge would likely apply (but it's nowhere near $10k - unless we are dealing with multiple demand points).

Happy to help clarify if you want to PM me the address and any background info as to how the $10k figure was arrived at 😎

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

iamsammajor

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#3528021 15-Sep-2026 13:20

Wheelbarrow01:

I'm interested to understand the specific circumstances that apply here. You state fibre is not currently available and to get it "down the driveway" would cost circa $10k.

Is the address inside the UFB zone, or outside?

If it's inside the zone but not available, was the land parcel subdivided and/or your building constructed after fibre was laid down the street?

There are several standard (ie free) installation methods available depending on topography of the site, however if the land parcel title and/or building did not exist when fibre was laid in the street, then an Infill Build charge would likely apply (but it's nowhere near $10k - unless we are dealing with multiple demand points).

Happy to help clarify if you want to PM me the address and any background info as to how the $10k figure was arrived at 😎

thanks for the info, sending you a PM now.

thanks,

Sam

iamsammajor

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#3528036 15-Sep-2026 14:38

robjg63:

Someone has to say it....

Starlink?

And as noted above, get a VOIP line from someone else (2Talk/Kiwivoip)

yeah

a VOIP line from someone else (2Talk/Kiwivoip)

seem to be the way to go :)