Obtaining access has its problems

DUnedin may have the fastest broadband speed in Australasia but for Dunedin man Alan Richardson, getting access to ultra-fast broadband has not been easy.

He has been trying for more than 10 weeks to get someone from Chorus, or a representative, to talk to him about options for installing UFB to his home.

Last month, there was a discussion about whether the rate of roll-out of UFB would be faster if Chorus was given a ''presumption of consent'' in legislation to enter jointly owned and/or tenanted properties and buildings so the lines company could undertake installation work.

''I would suggest that if Chorus or its representatives were willing to come and talk to owners of buildings and land, the mooted legislation probably would not be necessary as consents might be much more forthcoming.''

As it stood, Chorus was approaching landowners with a consent document which required the landowner to abrogate property rights, allowing Chorus to choose whatever method of fibre installation suited it best.

While Chorus mentioned six possible methods in a covering letter, the consent it sought required landowners to sign away their rights prior to any discussion on which would be used.

That left the landowner at the mercy of Chorus or its contractor to choose a method that suited them but maybe not the landowner, he said.

''I am currently attempting to get a Chorus representative to come to my property as a neighbour wants fibre installed. I'm interested in doing so also.

''I have called Chorus, as suggested in their letter dated February 20, hoping to make arrangements for a visit but was told no-one would come until I had signed away my rights by way of signing the consent form.''

Mr Richardson received a follow-up letter from Chorus on March 13 which he responded to by email on March 30, again asking for a meeting

to discuss a preferred method of installation. To date, no response had been received to the March 30 correspondence.

''It seems to me Chorus is not interested in working with land and building owners; they want carte blanche.''

Chorus said it was investigating Mr Richardson's situation and would respond later.

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