The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) is pleased that installations and infrastructure builds will be able to
recommence when the country moves into Covid-19 Alert Level 3 from 11:59pm on Monday 27 April.
“Fibre installations can resume for all consumers and businesses under Level 3 – except for a small number of high-risk
situations. During Level 4 they were only permitted for essential services and premises with no internet access. The
industry will be working through the backlog of orders which have been paused during Level 4 lockdown, so some patience
from customers may be required,” says Geoff Thorn, TCF Chief Executive.
During fibre installations that require a technician to visit the premise, protocols developed in line with Ministry of
Health Covid-19 Alert Level 3 regulations will be strictly adhered to. Upgrading copper network connections to VDSL or
connecting to fixed wireless technology continues to be available, where applicable, and neither of these upgrades is
likely to require a technician’s visit.
Under Alert Level 3 telecommunication customers will be able to make a wider range of online purchases from their retail
service providers than they were at Level 4, such as devices and accessories, which will be delivered to their homes or
businesses. In some cases, a non-contact ‘click and collect’ option will be available, and providers will continue to
service urgent hardware repairs as they did during Level 4. Consumers and businesses can continue to adjust their plans
to suit their circumstances by visiting their service provider’s website.
Thorn says that in addition to fibre installations, it is expected that several infrastructure builds will also
recommence during Alert Level 3. These activities will mean that hundreds of technicians and civil construction workers
across the industry will be able to resume full-time work next week.
“We are delighted to get back to building world-class telecommunications infrastructure for the benefit of all New
Zealanders,” he says.