Copper land-lines to go, concerns for vulnerable

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 7 October 2022

The copper network is being retired, so what now for vulnerable customers who rely on the land line? Already gone from many households, home phones are fast becoming a thing of the past. 

Now customers are being told to be proactive if they do still want one. Copper has provided the "line" for landlines and monitored alarms. 

But, Telecoms infrastructure provider Chorus is withdrawing its copper network area by area, from the remaining three percent of homes and businesses still using it, wherever fibre technology is available.

No matter the service provider, copper wire land-line customers either need to hang-up the home phone or seek out alternatives. 

Kathryn is joined by Chorus spokesperson Steve Pettigrew and SPARK Product Director Tessa Tierney.  Spark operates the network of switches which automatically connect landline calls.

Caitlin Cherry from Consumer NZ tells Kathryn some older New Zealanders remain angry, confused and in some cases traumatised by the changes.

Landline phone

Landline phone Photo: Pixabay