The telecommunications access company reported fixed connections fell about 39,000 to 1.64 million in the three months ended March and broadband numbers were down about 15,000 to 1.2 million.
Forsyth Barr broker Suzanne Kinnaird said broadband falls were partly offset by gains from UCLL (unbundled copper local loop) migrating to Chorus broadband services.
Although the fixed line connections fell about 39,000, only 16,000 were lost in competing fibre areas.
''We believe the majority of the remainder were lost to wireless broadband services.''
Where available, fibre uptake on Chorus' network was now at 34%, she said.
From April 3 to September 30, Chorus would offer modem contributions for customers upgrading from its legacy broadband service as part of its previously announced strategy to retain customers on its network.
Upgrades to fibre would receive $150 and upgrades to VDSL would receive $100.
Looking ahead, Chorus would manage a fibre network covering about 59% of premises in New Zealand, once complete, Ms Kinnaird said.
With the completion of both stages of the ultra-fast broadband programmes in 2042, its major investment over the next 30 years would have ended.
The concern was line loss to competing fibre providers and new technologies.
Focus remained on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment review of telecommunications regulations which would set pricing principles for copper and fibre services after 2020, she said.
New chief executive Kate McKenzie brought an impressive CV to help manage those changes.
The key drivers for Chorus included revenue from copper and cost per premise connected (CPPC), Ms Kinnaird said.
Nearly 70% of Chorus' revenue was generated directly from its copper network. Prices were regulated until 2020, at which point a new model for pricing services was due to take place.
With an increasing number of fibre connections, the final cost of CPPC was being affected by the cost of labour and accelerated demand.
UFB2 had allowed for a higher average connection cost for that part of the build, she said.
