Fast broadband in reach for 16,000

Users of ultra-fast broadband report faster connections and downloads.

More than 16,000 households, businesses and schools in Napier and Hastings are now able to connect to the ultra-fast broadband network.

As of September 30, there were more than 14,000 Napier and Hastings properties connected to the network and more than 16,000 end users - such as households, businesses and schools - who were able to connect.

The number of properties differs to the number of end users, as some properties have more than one potential user.

Of the 16,000 end users able to connect, 9.3 per cent of them were on board as of September 30.

ABC Software owner Sharon Chapman said the fast connection had been valuable.

"We didn't have a problem we were trying to solve but it has been really good for connecting with clients overseas," she said.

"Stuff that would have taken hours to upload or download takes minutes."

More and more businesses were realising the benefits of ultra-fast broadband, she said.

"I think businesses are seeing that it's a really valuable tool. More of the network has been built so there's more opportunities for businesses to connect and the prices are down so they're seeing it as a good investment."

Napier and Hastings were, however, lagging behind many other towns and cities, with 65 per cent of the network still to be built.

The Napier-Hastings build was expected to be completed by December 2019.

Communications Minister Amy Adams said nationally, the rollout was ahead of schedule and within budget.

"At the end of September, 536,000 end users were able to connect, putting the ultra-fast broadband build at 40 per cent complete," she said.

"For the rural programme, the build is now 70 per cent complete with 282 towers having been upgraded and 98 new towers having been built providing fixed wireless broadband to 213,000 premises."