Copper switch-off check, Auckland
Is your phone or alarm still on copper?
Chorus is retiring the copper network in fibre areas by the end of 2026 and nationwide by 2028. Landlines, alarm diallers, EFTPOS and gate or lift phones that still use copper will stop working. Book a free survey and we'll tell you what needs to change, in writing, before it's switched off.
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What stops working when copper goes
Anything that still connects through the old phone line needs a new path: fibre, 4G or satellite. Your provider must give you notice before your service changes, but devices on the line are your responsibility.
Landline phones
Office and home phones move to VoIP over your internet. You can usually keep your number. We set up the phones and coordinate the number move. See business phone systems.
Burglar alarms
Many alarms call the monitoring centre over the phone line. They need an internet or 4G communicator instead. We service Hikvision, Bosch, HiLook, Ajax and Paradox alarms; the upgrade is quoted after we've seen the panel.
EFTPOS, gates and lifts
Older EFTPOS terminals, gate intercoms and lift phones can rely on a copper line. We find them on the survey and tell you who to call or what to change.
Medical alarms: check with your medical alarm provider, who is responsible for moving it to a new connection.
What the free copper check covers
Find everything on copper
We trace the phone line at your property and list every phone, alarm and device that uses it.Check your new connection
Is fibre already at the property? If not, is it available, or is Starlink the better option for a rural site?Written list and fixed quote
You get a plain list of what will stop working and what to switch to, with a fixed quote for the work. No obligation.Do the work in one visit
If you go ahead, our own team moves the phones, upgrades the alarm and sets up the connection, then tests everything before we leave.
Fixed quote, based on what you have
Every property is different: how many phones, what alarm panel, whether fibre is already in. So we don’t guess. After the free survey you get a written list of what needs to change and a fixed quote for the work, with no obligation.
Your calling plan, internet plan and any number porting fee stay with your provider and are billed by them.
Questions we get asked
When will copper be switched off at my property?
Chorus plans to retire copper in all fibre areas by the end of 2026 and across the country by 2028. Your provider must give you notice, usually at least six months, before your service changes. The Telecommunications Forum has the details.
Will my alarm still work after the switch-off?
If it reports to a monitoring centre over the phone line, it won't once the copper line goes. It needs an internet or 4G communicator. We check the panel on the free survey and quote the upgrade.
Can I keep my phone number?
In most cases, yes. When you move to VoIP we coordinate the number move with your provider.
What does the copper check cost?
The survey is free. You then get a written list and a fixed quote based on what you need, with no obligation to go ahead.
I'm rural and fibre isn't available. What then?
Starlink or a fixed wireless connection are the usual options. We're a certified Starlink installer and can set it up with Wi-Fi for the house and sheds.
Get checked before the copper goes
Book a free survey and we'll tell you exactly what needs to change.
