Consumers snared in fibre's web

People are being urged to do research about how other home devices could be affected when signing up for fibre broadband.

Issues people hadn't envisaged when signing up include older medical and security alarms not being compatible with fibre, and old phone jacks becoming redundant in homes which use multiple phones.

TrueNet director John Butt told the Chronicle people need to do some research when connecting to fibre and also be prepared to spend a bit more money on upgrades to outdated devices.

"When you think about it, you spend over $1000 a year on internet," he said. "Think of it as an annual fee and you'll realise it's not a simple thing you're signing up to. If you went and bought an item that was $1000, you'd probably do some research. I think that's probably the main message."

Whanganui resident Rod Davenport contacted the Chronicle to say it was news to him his bedroom telephone would no longer work through the old phone jack once he connected to fibre.

"They didn't tell you when you first sign up. I said is there going to be any more cost?"

Mr Butt said if a device such as an alarm or camera was currently using the internet, it would most likely work on the fibre network but if it didn't the devices would probably need upgrading.

People needed to ask their providers, he said.

"If it's already via the internet it won't be affected at all by fibre."

Mr Butt said there were several ways to have multiple phones, but buying a wireless set-up for a relatively low cost was the best solution.

"Imagine you bought a car and your car was too big for the garage. Would you complain to the car manufacturer?"

The cost of upgrades to equipment was relatively low compared to the annual cost of fibre broadband, he said.

-For more information about what is involved with connecting to fibre, visit the Ultrafast Fibre website at www.ultrafastfibre.co.nz/faqs