Regional information - preferred supplier details and comments from regions

Counties Power Wired Country

Pukekohe based Counties Power embarked on the building of a fibre and radio based broadband network in October last year under the brand name Wired Country.

The company has reticulated fibre optic cable to serve the business district of Pukekohe and several hundred lots in new domestic subdivisions. This fibre network was launched commercially in May 2003.

Wired Country has commissioned three 3.5GHz radio base stations near Pukekohe and Papakura and have started work on other sites. Together these will reach over 35,000 businesses, schools and residential customers including all four towns in Franklin and Papakura districts, as well as part of Manakau City.

The company is pursuing opportunities to develop similar networks in other parts of the country in conjunction with local partners on a similar basis to the joint venture established with The Lines Company to rollout Wired Country in the King Country and South Waikato. There are now six Retail Services Providers working with Wired Country to serve a growing number of customers.

Telecom in conjunction with BCL

The selection of Telecom for the West Coast and Manawatu builds on the company's earlier selection as preferred supplier for Wellington, Taranaki, Waikato, and in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Hawkes Bay regions. These regions are each entering into a joint partnering programme with Telecom to reach agreement over priorities and services.

Telecom’s combination of cabinet mounted mini-DSLAMs and the BCL BWA wireless provides an effective solution offering a high level of school and community coverage in these regions.

Regional Statements

West Coast

In announcing Telecom as the regions preferred provider Venture West Coast Chair Pat O’Dea said Venture West Coast and the West Coast Broadband Taskforce was looking forward to entering negotiations with Telecom.

“The Taskforce has undertaken considerable analysis of the current communication needs of the West Coast and potential providers," he said.

"Our aim is to achieve the best solutions we can for the region and we look forward to progressing this important regional project.”

Manawatu Wanganui

"We believe broadband infrastructure is critical to the growth and development of the Manawatu and Wanganui communities," says Peter Davies, CEO Horizons Regional Council.

"As well as the obvious benefit to schools and the tertiary sector, high speed internet will be a boost for our farming communities and supporting industries.

"Once the rollout begins we can realise the potential benefits this technology has to offer our region."

Auckland

"We believe the establishment of a competitive broadband infrastructure in the Auckland Region is a vital step in ensuring that consumers and businesses get the best offerings at the best prices available," says Conor O'Beirne, Regional Coordinator, Auckland Region Broadband Liaison Group.

"We expect this development to encourage the faster uptake of the broadband necessary to enable our region to realise the economic and social benefits of this technology.

"We look forward to engaging with Counties Power to support this positive outcome for rural schools, communities and businesses in Auckland."

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