Businesses call for reliable broadband

Media release
19 January 2009

Businesses call for reliable broadband

Businesses across the country are struggling with inconsistent, and at times non-existent, broadband services.

They are calling for improved broadband and many are pinning their hopes on the Government’s ultra-fast broadband initiative to allow organisations such as local lines and fibre companies establish extensive regional fibre networks, catering for urban and rural customers,

Northpower, one of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group members has recently completed a survey of a sample of Whangarei businesses. The results show a need for far greater consistency and reliability of broadband connections. It is a theme reiterated throughout the country.

Northpower fibre manager Darren Mason says in a qualitative survey of local businesses, respondents expressed major concerns about the quality and consistency of their existing connections.

Other members of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group, Vector included, have since mentioned similar feedback – that business owners across the country want a decent broadband service to communicate across.

“The purpose of the survey was to seek clarification over broadband requirements from local businesses – those already on our fibre network and many who are not,” says Mr Mason.

Quality and reliability are key attributes on the broadband wish list.
In partnership with TelstraClear, Northpower is providing download and upload speeds of 100Mbit/s to some central Whangarei businesses - speeds significantly faster than the copper broadband around the city

“Ultimately, business owners and residential customers want faster broadband but their main wish-list is for reliability and consistency which they just don’t get with the existing legacy copper network.

Northpower launched its fibre optic network earlier this year and so far 14% of businesses passed have opted to hook up.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the country, Enable CEO Steve Fuller says the theme is replicated in Christchurch.

“There are three key dynamics that our customers want. They want something that is affordable, broadband that really works and that will always work. Basically they want broadband that does what it is supposed to do,” says Mr Fuller.
“That is the beauty of an ultra-fast fibre network and is why we are having so many people link up to it – because it is all of those things and more. In particular, it is light years ahead of copper simply because it is at least 50 times faster. That is a massive difference and people deserve that level of connectivity.”

Ten companies within the NZRFG already have fibre networks underway – Vector, Aurora Energy, CityLink, Counties Power, Electricity Ashburton, Network Tasman, Unison and Velocity.

Collectively the networks have connected over 100 schools to fibre and have ensured fibre runs past the doors of tens of thousands of businesses.
Mr Mason says the NZRFG is committed to not only taking fibre to the premise, but also fibre to the home.

And he believes with the boost that Government financial assistance will provide, the NZRFG can ensure it happens in a nationally coordinated, regionally focussed manner - much faster than the Government’s proposed 10 year deadline.

“Fibre is revolutionary. It will change our social and business landscape in a phenomenal way. It is going to be great for New Zealand and be of immense value to future generations,” says Mr Mason.
ENDS

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