Chorus completes urban ADSL2+ broadband upgrade

Chorus completes urban ADSL2+ broadband upgrade

About 1.5 million telephone lines connecting New Zealand homes and businesses are now within reach of high-speed ADSL2+ broadband as telecommunications utility company Chorus completes work to rev-up local networks.

This four-year programme of work began in Auckland’s Point Chevalier in March 2008, and is part of Chorus’ commitment to enable broadband speeds of at least 10Mbps for more than 80 percent of New Zealanders.

Chorus CEO Mark Ratcliffe said it is a great privilege to announce the completion of this massive network upgrade.

“A team of some 800 people from a range of organisations have helped deploy fibre further into New Zealand neighbourhoods,” said Ratcliffe.

In all, Chorus has deployed 2,500km of fibre optic cable, upgraded hundreds of local telephone exchanges with new broadband equipment and installed or upgraded some 3,600 roadside cabinets

“The rollout of ADSL2+ broadband has taught us a lot over the years, and we’ll use that knowledge to help build New Zealand’s fibre future.

“Chorus is now focusing its efforts on deploying approximately 20,000km of fibre optic cable to deliver ultra-fast broadband,” said Ratcliffe.

Chorus is partnering with the Crown to rollout ultra-fast broadband (UFB) to more than 800,000 homes, businesses, schools and health premises by the end of 2019.

Mr Ratcliffe noted that customers also have an important part to play in making the most of the urban ADSL2+ broadband upgrade. Broadband performance is also affected by factors including their broadband plan, modem, computer, and the wiring in their home or business. People who want to take full advantage of Chorus’ investment in faster broadband should talk directly with their retail service provider.

Christchurch manufacturers Shape Technology and Eaton Electrical have played a pivotal role, helping establish a manufacturing production line that produces an average of 25 cabinets a week Chorus’ technology partner Alcatel-Lucent provided the broadband equipment and Downer, Transfield Services and Visionstream managed the network build.

New Zealand towns now in reach of high-speed ADSL2+ broadband

The following is a list of towns with 500 or more phone lines where broadband connections between 10Mbps and 20Mbps is now in reach of local residents.

Note: Regional boundaries are not always clear so towns may be listed under a

region different to the one you might expect.

• Northland region

Whangarei, Kaitaia, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Paihia, Ruakaka, Mangonui,

Hikurangi, Kawakawa, Russell, Maungaturoto, Ngunguru, Waipu and Mangawhai.

• Auckland region

Auckland, Hibiscus Coast, Red Beach, Pukekohe, Tuakau, Waiheke, Beachlands,

Titirangi, Kumeu, Runciman, Waiuku, Warkworth, Mahurangi, Helensville,

Wellsford, Waimauku, Waitakere, Piha, Waiatarua, Leigh, Clevedon and

Patumahoe.

• Waikato region

Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa, Matamata, Thames, Coromandel,

Morrinsville, Huntly, Whangamata, Whitianga, Te Kuiti, Waihi, Te Aroha, Paeroa,

Ngaruawahia, Putaruru, Tairua, Otorohanga, Raglan, Ngatea, Taumarunui, Te

Kauwhata and Tirau.

• Bay of Plenty region

Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Turangi, Te Puke, Whakatane, Kawerau, Katikati,

Opotiki, Te Puna, Ohope, Omokoroa, Waihi Beach, Edgecumbe and Murupara.

• Hawke’s Bay – Gisborne region

Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Wairoa, Waipawa, Clive, Haumoana

and Bay View.

• Taranaki region

New Plymouth, Hawera, Stratford, Waitara, Inglewood, Eltham, Opunake,

Oakura, Patea, Waverley and Manaia.

• Manawatu-Wanganui region

Palmerston North, Wanganui, Feilding, Marton, Ashhurst, Bulls, Linton, Taihape

and Ohakune.

• Wairarapa region

Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Martinborough, Pahiatua,

Woodville and Dannevirke.

• Wellington and Horowhenua-Kapiti

Wellington, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Raumati, Pukerua Bay, Paekakariki,

Otaki, Te Horo, Levin, Shannon, Foxton and Foxton Beach.

• Tasman-Marlborough region

Nelson, Blenheim, Richmond, Motueka, Picton, Kaikoura, Renwick,

Brightwater, Wakefield, Mapua and Spring Creek.

• Canterbury region

Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, Prebbleton,

Templeton, Diamond Harbour, Governors Bay, Temuka, Waimate, Rolleston,

Geraldine, Lincoln, Woodend, Darfield, Amberley, Leeston, Spencerville,

Methven, Oxford, Akaroa, Pleasant Point, Twizel, Hanmer Springs and

Fairlie.

• West Coast region

Greymouth, Westport, Hokitika, Reefton and Runanga.

• Otago region

Dunedin, Mosgiel, Queenstown, Oamaru, Brighton, Wanaka, Alexandra, Balclutha,

Cromwell, Arrowtown, Milton, Waikouaiti, Ranfurly, Palmerston and

Roxburgh.

• Southland region

Invercargill, Gore, Winton, Te Anau, Otatara, Bluff, Riverton, Tapanui and

Otautau.

Information on Chorus’ high speed broadband project can be viewed online at: www.chorus.co.nz/Fibre_to_the_Node

Visit Chorus’ website to learn more about the company and its UFB and RBI rollout: http://www.chorus.co.nz/

Chorus’ online map outlining its UFB candidate areas, the first year deployment plans and its business fibre area can be viewed at: www.chorus.co.nz/fibre-rollout-map

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