Auckland's UFB rollout begins

Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce File photo

New Zealand's largest telecommunications network operator began the rollout of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) to more than 800,000 homes, businesses, schools and hospitals in the Auckland suburb of Albany this morning.

Auckland's Rosebank, Herne Bay, Grey Lynn, Remuera and East Tamaki will be among the first areas to receive a fibre connection in plans outlined by Chorus today.

The company said it also hoped to be able to deploy fibre optic cables in Ashburton, Blenheim, Dunedin, Masterton, Napier-Hastings, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington by the end of the year.

In line with Government policy, fibre will be delivered to priority customers, including includes schools, hospitals and businesses, first.

Chorus CEO Mark Ratcliffe said today marked a major step on New Zealand's ultra fast broadband journey.

"By July next year, we'll have run the new network past more than 43,000 homes and businesses across the country and offered some 200 schools a fibre connection," said Ratcliffe.

Deployment of UFB fibre is already underway in Whangarei, Hamilton, Wanganui and Tauranga with other government partners including Northpower and Ultra Fast Broadband.

Communications and IT Minister Steven Joyce said project would transform the New Zealand economy.

"The ultra fast broadband initiative is central to the government's economic growth plan.

"This initiative will see 75 per cent of New Zealanders connected to broadband speeds of 100Mbps or better. That's about 50 times the speeds currently available in our major centres.

"It will change the way we work, the way we learn, the way we receive healthcare and the way we live our lives."

- Susie Nordqvist