Ultra-fast broadband in 90pc of homes, rest by 2016

All of Rotorua will be able to access ultra-fast broadband by 2016, with 90 per cent of the city able to access it now, under the Government's Ultra-Fast Broadband programme.

The results for phase one of the programme as at June 30 were released yesterday by Communications Minister Amy Adams.

More than 22,800 homes, schools and businesses in Rotorua now have access to world-leading fibre-to-the-premises.

"Rotorua's build is on track and we're seeing good uptake across the region. Faster, more reliable broadband will bring significant social, educational and economic benefits to this community," Ms Adams said.

Local internet provider Now has been flat-out connecting businesses and homes to ultra-fast broadband, managing director Grant Kilby said.

He said it was a great move for Rotorua. "Ultra-fast broadband enables businesses and residents to connect faster more securely and has more capacity than the standard copper network."

The copper network is starting to age, he said.

"Fibre's a lot more stable than the copper network ... people are now relying on a consistent service via ultra-fast broadband and that delivers it," Mr Kilby said.

"A few years ago we were only able to use dial-up speeds and now we are talking connecting 100 megabytes download [which has] opened up the gateway to the universe in terms of people being able to use the internet as a tool rather than a means of communication."

Rotorua's Don Gunn, who works from home as the director of Rotorua Travel, is using ultra-fast broadband.

"I just find that the speed of downloading and just the general response time is just so much quicker and it really has made a difference."

He said having fast and reliable internet would benefit everyone and be attractive to tourists and visitors.

"Obviously for those businesses that rely on tourism, to be able to have that connectivity and speed of connectivity is so important and also for visitors, because it's becoming so increasingly important, when you are travelling you go to a destination and check out the availability of Wi-Fi and propensity of ultra-fast broadband."