Elliott also advised:
Transfield, the installation contractors, have already completed 20km of 360km of roll-out in Wanganui, averaging 119m a day, and drilling crews have hired 25 people locally to help with the work.
The CBD installation (usually the hardest) went well, and has been completed - the remaining network installation should be faster and easier.
In about a month's time, the Ultrafast Fibre website will have a tool available where anyone can enter a specific address and obtain details of when UFB fibre connection is expected to be provided.
To date, the emphasis has been on installing the UFB fibre, but now the next phase of installing electronics in the network, and fitting out the central office with electronics, is beginning. This will be followed by a testing phase over the next couple of months and then the retail service providers (RSPs), who will enable business and residential customers to connect to the network, will be "on board".
Ultrafast Broadband Ltd was rebranded to Ultrafast Fibre (UFF) Ltd just prior to Christmas and the public will start seeing new UFF branding on vehicles, vans and uniforms in late February.
UFF have been busy with Transfield developing signage for areas in which they are working and information flyers for letterbox drops.
The UFB Business Strategy Group of the Wanganui Employers Chamber of Commerce is very aware that, because of the ever present "tall poppy" disease, Wanganui's innovative organisations and individuals are hesitant to publicise their often world-class expertise - so people often have no knowledge of the products or services marketed by their next door organisation.
The above group has therefore decided to launch the Wanganui Innovation Network (WIN) in order to create opportunities for representatives of Wanganui's innovative organisations and individuals to meet regularly with the aim of:
Making everyone aware of the region's amazing innovation and skills, and the resultant products and services marketed by local organisations.
Encouraging local organisations and individuals to:
Form cluster groups, composed of same sector businesses, who assist one another to grow their sectors. (like the Wanganui Glass Group.)
Work together to develop and, ultimately, market new "Third Wave" products or services, by integrating the skills and experience of two or more organisations and/or individuals.
Assist one another to maximise each others' sales by sharing details of their own successful marketing experiences - such as marketing in Asia.
Share their successful experiences in taking advantage of the amazing opportunities UFB availability makes possible.
The group is working with Paul Garner, WDC's economic development "business development and projects officer", and Palmerston North's "e2e" group (who organise a WIN-like group), to research the best practice format for the WIN Get-togethers.
To date, it has been suggested that interested innovative people could meet once each month from say 5pm to 6-30pm and a free-of-charge Thursday night venue has been identified.
Suggestions are being received for the more formal activity of each get-together, and these include sessions during which the people (including "e2e" Palmerston North members) situated at each table briefly, and informally, describe to the others at their table:
The activities and skills of their organisations - just like a "speed-dating session".
Any problems they have, which others may be able to assist them overcome.
A speaker addresses a topic of special interest agreed by WIN members.
Importantly, time must be provided for networking, and this will take place before and after the more formal WIN get-together activities, when refreshments (paid for by those interested) will be available.
Article contributed by the Wanganui Employers' Chamber of Commerce UFB Business Strategy Group. To suggest initiatives which you believe should be considered for inclusion in the group's strategic plan, or to contact the group, drop an email to john.patty@xtra.co.nz
