Fibre is very fragile and requires conduit/duct to protect it. Enable generally use 20mm duct and our preference is for it to be red.
If you have existing duct on your property, we can use it if it's red, green or white - provided it's not being used for anything else and doesn't carry another network provider’s brand on it.
We can not, for example, bring fibre to your home by utilising a neighbours existing fibre duct.
Why can't you use the existing conduit that's used for the copper network?
The existing conduit is currently used to supply Chorus’ copper network into your property. Chorus also assert ownership over the conduit that is installed at your property that houses their network. Enable is not legally able to interfere with Chorus’ network in any way. This means we are not able to use the existing conduit or the copper cable itself.
Why does the duct/conduit need to be unoccupied?
We install our network independently of any existing network on your property and we do not necessarily enter the building at the same point. For provisioning purposes, the duct/conduit we use must not be used for anything else.
Can I install my own duct/conduit?
If you're getting a new driveway or opening a service trench at your home, it may be worth contacting Enable to install a lead-in. Enable offers a free service lead-in for properties within our coverage area. We’ll lay our microduct into a provided service trench that meets our specifications at no cost. We require a minimum of two business days’ notice of the trench being open in order to do this work - you can read more here.
If you want to do it all yourself, appropriate service lead-in duct is available from retailers such as Humes. An example of the product you can use is on their website. Enable can also generally use 20mm duct/conduit and our preference is for it to be red.
If you're installing telecommunications services to a property, you can ensure it meets Enable's service lead in requirements by reading our dedicated Help Centre article.