Company expands coverage

Whanganui is among a cluster of cities and towns across the country able to hook into Orcon's Gig plans.

The company first launched its Gig plans in the main metropolitan areas last month, but now has continued the rollout to 15 more centres including Whanganui and residents can sign up to the new plans, starting from $135 a month.

Taryn Hamilton, Orcon's consumer general manager, said the initial uptake had exceeded expectations, with more than 50 per cent of new fibre sign-ups choosing a Gig plan.

"We have been staggered by the demand. We thought this would appeal to a select few, but we've been surprised by how many customers have traded up immediately," Mr Hamilton said.

"The plans are a massive leap from what most Kiwi homes have been used to, but if history has taught us anything it's that technology moves quickly," he said.

"In the short space of three years, we've moved from having an average of three devices in the home, to a staggering average of 10. In a few years, we could be looking back at fibre 100 plans with the nostalgia and mockery we now have for dial-up."