By
March 18, 2021
When you upgrade to fast and reliable fibre broadband, if you have a landline or alarm system you rely on, you’ll need to get them switched over as well.
Between Chorus, your phone and broadband provider and alarm provider – we’ll take care of it all, we just need a bit of a heads up from you.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Landlines
If you still like to use a landline at home, not a problem, you can keep it connected when you move to fibre – just follow these basic steps:
Let your phone and broadband provider know
When you first place your fibre order, let your chosen phone and broadband provider know that you’d like your landline to be connected to fibre too.
This service is free of charge and ensures the wiring in your home is optimal for phone service over fibre.
Connect and test
During your installation appointment, be sure to show the Chorus technician where your landlines are located.
They will either do some internal wiring so your jack point works, or there may be an option to plug your landline phone directly into your modem, depending on the model. Your technician will know which option is required at your place.
Once the fibre installation is complete, the technician will test that it’s working. You will be able to make outgoing calls straight away, but incoming calls could take 24hours to start working while your phone provider switches it over at their end.
Alarms
If you have a medical or home alarm operating over our copper network, here’s what you need to do to keep them connected when you upgrade to fibre.
Let your broadband provider know
When you place your fibre order with your broadband provider, be sure to let them know you have a monitored home security or medical alarm that relies on your current copper connection so we can take the right steps to keep them fully operational when you switch to fibre.
Get in touch with your alarm provider
Once you’ve ordered fibre, get in touch with your alarm provider to see if your alarm will be compatible with your new fibre broadband service. If you’re upgrading your alarm, it’s a good idea to get it set up and ready to go before you get connected to fibre to minimise any interruptions during the switchover on the day your fibre’s installed.
Many modern alarms will allow you to change connection type and will already have the functionality to do this built in. Older alarms may require an additional IP module to make it compatible, these cost around $200-$250 and can be supplied by security or alarm companies.
Preparing for a power cut
Unlike copper connections, alarm systems and landlines connected to fibre won’t operate if the power is off. This means that during a power outage you won't be able to contact emergency 111 services unless you have back-up systems like:
Back-up phone
If you have a mobile phone, this will still work if the power goes out so keep it charged and in a handy place, just in case.
Speak to your provider if you do not have a mobile phone (or if there are issues with mobile connection at your address). Your provider may recommend an independent power source for emergencies, such as a battery back-up for your landline.
Landline providers are required by law to ensure that vulnerable consumers can contact 111 in a power cut. Speak to your provider if you think that’s you, or someone else at your address may have an increased reliance on 111.
Ask about a wireless alarm communicator
If you have an alarm and want to ensure it works in a power cut, ask your alarm provider about getting a wireless alarm communicator installed. This device simulates a landline using your fibre connection and/or can switch to a mobile network if no landline is available in the event of a power cut.