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Full speed ahead for broadband deployment


6 May 2015

Full speed ahead for broadband deployment


Communications Minister Amy Adams today announced a 23 per cent increase in the number of end users connecting to Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) over the first three months of 2015.

The latest quarterly results for the Government’s UFB and Rural Broadband Initiative programmes released today show over 618,000 homes, workplaces and schools are now able to connect to the UFB network.

“The private-public partnership of the UFB initiative is progressing well and deployment is significantly ahead of build targets, with close to 46 percent of the infrastructure now complete,” says Ms Adams.

Uptake is at 13.8 per cent across the country, taking the total number of end users connected to the network to 85,544.

Ms Adams said the programme was tracking well and noted its positive results were highlighted in a global report released today about the initiative’s success.

The report by Alcatel-Lucent describes New Zealand’s UFB programme as the result of a clear government vision. It said New Zealand has designed and executed a uniquely well-managed and cost effective, open-access national broadband network.


The report noted the effective and competitive tender process, flexible regulatory framework and innovative funding structure had all played a role in the success of the initiative.

“Better connectivity provides access to cloud based software and other benefits like high definition video streaming. This gives businesses a competitive advantage and enables students to securely share their learning with friends, teachers, and their families.

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“Schools are a top priority for the Government. The programme target for schools is now 93 per cent complete with more than 2300 schools across New Zealand with high-speed broadband ready for service.”

Under the RBI, almost 80 percent of tower upgrades are now complete. In the last quarter almost 1.8 million unique Vodafone customers alone accessed mobile services from the 113 new towers built since the start of the programme. An estimated 239,000 households and businesses are able to connect to fixed wireless RBI from new and upgraded towers.

More than 85,000 lines have been upgraded by Chorus under the RBI to receive new or improved faster copper-based broadband.

Notes: The full quarterly update can be found at www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/fast-broadband/deployment-progress

By the numbers:

46 per cent of build complete. Within budget and ahead of schedule

618,000 end users able to connect to the UFB network

• Schools are 93 per cent complete with 2300 schools across New Zealand ready for service.

85,544 end users connected or 13.8 per cent uptake

Almost 1.8 million Vodafone customers accessed mobile services from 113 new RBI towers.

ends

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