Ultrafast Fibre begins rollout of ultrafast broadband network in New Plymouth

New Plymouth, 18 April 2012 - The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Hon Amy Adams, was in New Plymouth today to mark the commencement of work by Ultrafast Fibre Ltd to construct its ultrafast broadband (UFB) network throughout the city.

Work will take place over four years and will be completed in stages as approved by the company managing the UFB for the Government, Crown Fibre Holdings. Ultrafast Fibre’s 265 kilometre network in New Plymouth will be completed by 2016.

“New Plymouth organisations and residents will be among the first in the country to connect to ultrafast broadband at speeds that rival the best in the world.

“The first New Plymouth businesses can start connecting to our local fibre network from September this year, while residents will be able to start connecting from November,” says Ultrafast Fibre Ltd CEO, Maxine Elliott.

During April, Ultrafast Fibre’s work will take place in the city’s central business district.

Ms Elliott, says the company has contracted the majority of its work in the region to local people.

“During the project we will employ nearly 100 people throughout New Plymouth, Wanganui and Hawera to help us with this build.

“When you also factor in that our external contractors and employees are in the region using local services and buying local, it’s apparent that this project is having a major impact on the wider regional economy,” she explains.

Maxine Elliott says as network construction gets underway, the company is committed to ensuring its work is the least disruptive as possible.

“People will begin to see our crews working throughout the city. This work involves digging small trenches in front of properties to lay the fibre and closing them back up again. Our aim is to do this work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring the excitement of ultrafast broadband to the people of New Plymouth and we want to do that in a way that provides a good experience for everyone from start to finish,” explains Ms Elliott.

In addition to laying fibre in New Plymouth, Ultrafast Fibre Ltd is currently laying fibre in Wanganui, Hamilton and Tauranga. The company plans to begin the UFB rollout in Hawera, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Tokoroa. A combined total of 3,000 kilometres will be laid in all eight towns and cities.

Maps detailing the work being done by Ultrafast Fibre in New Plymouth can be viewed at www.ultrafastbroadband.co.nz/coverage-areas.

Visit www.ultrafastbroadband.co.nz for more information.

ENDS

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