UFB rollout welcomed, timeframe criticised

THE Labour Party’s new East Coast candidate has welcomed the announcement that more rural areas in the electorate will be connected to Ultra Fast Broadband but bemoaned the time it will take to complete.

The Labour candidate for East Coast, Kiri Allan, has welcomed the announcement that UFB fibre Connection will be extended to a number of areas in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

“This announcement follows a campaign for extending UFB coverage led by East Coast Labour Party chair, Anne Collins, and supported by a Labour spokesperson, Clare Curran MP.

“The one disappointment is that the rollout will not be completed until 2024, some seven years away.

“Given that National was promising a nationwide rollout of fibre broadband before the 2008 election, this is a pretty poor performance.

“In my work as a business consultant in the East Coast area, I am very aware of how important connectivity is to the advancement of growth and jobs in the area.”

Ms Allan said she looked forward to working with local businesses to ensure the rollout occurs as quickly as possible.

National’s East Coast MP Anne Tolley said the announcement was “fantastic news”.

“The Government is investing $300 million to extend the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative. This includes funding to extend fibre access in Kawerau, Opotiki, Maketu, Paengaroa, Edgecumbe, Matata, Murupara, Ohope/Coastlands, Ruatoria, Tolaga Bay and Gisborne.”