Opening access to fibre based broadband

Opening access to fibre based broadband

A push by the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group to provide open access networks is fast gaining momentum.

The group’s 19 members have increasingly advocated open access networks and regional fibre to the door connections as the way forward for New Zealand, a concept brought to life this week by NZRFG founding member Vector in its just-launched ‘fibre to the door’ public awareness campaign.

Meantime, Northpower has opened up its layer 2 fibre network in Whangarei to local retail internet service provider Xf Net. The Whangarei-based electricity lines company will reveal more fibre to the door activity shortly.

Northpower’s fibre manager and NZRFG spokesman Darren Mason says Xf Net has finalised its testing phase and is now ready to provide high-speed broadband, while also offering video on demand, VOIP, TV and movie channels.

Average upload and download speeds on the Northpower fibre network can support 100Mbit/s.

The move to open the network to multiple providers follows a 12-month initial phase with TelstraClear, during which time a number of business owners in the central city chose to connect.

Mr Mason expects connectivity rates in Whangarei to increase significantly this year as more businesses opt for ultra-fast fibre to the door connections.

He says those already on the fibre network are sold on the concept. Many are astounded at how fast, reliable and efficient their fibre broadband connections are, he says.

“From day one, Northpower has offered an ultra-fast layer 2 service to enable easier access for smaller providers who might not have the investment dollars needed to light a dark fibre network,” says Mr Mason.

“Now we have opened the network, it’s great to have local companies on board. We are in the process of finalising contracts with more providers and we expect to have at least another six offering services on our network by the end of this year.”

Northpower has also just completed an independent peer review of its network with international fibre specialist US based Kim Kersey.

In his appraisal, Mr Kersey suggests the company has laid a solid platform from which to substantially expand and enhance its fibre network for business and residential customers.

He was impressed with the high level of technical engineering expertise who understand the operation of complex IP-based networks and is convinced that its plan for fibre optic infrastructure development is the most logical, practical, and cost effective approach to achieving world-class communication capability for all New Zealand citizens.

The NZRFG, a nationwide collective of 19 electricity lines and fibre specialists, has consistently stated a desire to provide open access networks to existing and new service providers.

“Open access to fibre networks is what many of our members have been doing throughout the country for some years and we will continue with that policy because there is no guarantee that if the incumbent telco provider was to deliver New Zealand’s fibre broadband network that it would be open access, or that ultra-fast speeds would be available.”

Mr Mason says under the Government’s UFB model, Local Fibre Companies will be obligated to sell access to anyone.

“We see the expansion of our ultra-fast fibre networks as a chance to open the way and create more opportunities for local businesses which is important for future economic growth. NZRFG members place a lot of importance on regional development because we recognise the value in providing next generation networks in urban and rural areas.

“Ten years ago plenty of people didn’t have email and thought it wasn’t needed. Ultra-fast fibre broadband has been very much in that realm but as people are connecting they are realising the immense value in it. Ultra-fast fibre will be a major economic enabler for New Zealand,” says Mr Mason.

Counties Power chief executive Neil Simmonds agrees, saying he has never known any fibre broadband user to return to copper.

“Everybody knows that broadband in the future is going to be fibre. Anything else along the way is a temporary step, which is why copper will be superseded,” says Mr Simmonds.

Like Northpower, Mr Simmonds hopes to be successful in his bid for a slice of the Government’s $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband funding.

If so, Counties Power intends to build an extensive fibre network to 18,000 premises in the Franklin district.

Mr Mason says Northpower is also planning on an extensive fibre to the door expansion throughout Whangarei within three years – seven years faster than the Government’s deadline. Vector has stated it can deliver fibre to the door of more than 450,000 premises throughout Auckland in just seven years.

Meanwhile, eight other members of the NZRFG are continuing with developments on their fibre networks. A number of NZRFG members have submitted bids for the UFB initiative.

ENDS

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