Enable Networks ready to start fibre to the home

4th August 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Enable Networks ready to start fibre to the home

Christchurch’s award winning fibre optic company, Enable Networks, has submitted a comprehensive bid to the Government to take its fibre optic network to all Christchurch homes. Enable, which is 100% owned by Christchurch City Holdings Ltd, has already constructed hundreds of kilometres of state-of-the-art fibre optic network for Christchurch businesses.

“In just three years we have proven beyond any doubt that our company has the expertise and capability to transform telecommunications and IT in this city,” says Steve Fuller, CEO, Enable Networks.

“We have already achieved many of the initial objectives of the proposed Government’s $1.5b Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) project by taking unconstrained, world class fibre to almost all business areas in the city. Hundreds of businesses and health organisations in Christchurch are already connected to our fibre and are benefiting from the performance and cost effectiveness. We have also taken the initiative to invest in affordable, ultra fast fibre for our schools.”

Enable’s current work will mean Christchurch will have a network that meets the Crown’s initial six year objectives four years ahead of schedule. This will give the Christchurch business community a significant head start on the rest of the country.

“The Government’s UFB project will end the continuing investment in outdated copper based technology which has a limited life and is responsible for New Zealand’s poor performing broadband networks. UFB is expected to deliver economic benefits by allowing technology to remove distance from world markets, and enrich information and services to urban and rural homes.

“There is a once in a life time opportunity here to make the steep change that this country deserves to lead the world in broadband capability. That steep change requires innovation, rapid deployment and fresh thinking, and that is what Enable and the other regional fibre companies offer the Government.” says Steve Fuller.

“The fact our fibre network isn’t constrained by legacy copper is a huge advantage. We are already operating a purpose built fibre optic network offering faster performance, more scale and lower future costs.”

Enable offers ‘open access’ to any service provider wishing to deliver services to the end users and when Enable takes its network to the home, users will be able to choose from a range of service providers to receive their telephone, high speed internet and even television services.

Steve Fuller is also the chairman of the NZ Regional Fibre Group (NZRFG) which was formed to support the Government’s vision of introducing ultra-fast fibre broadband to New Zealand.

The NZRFG is a consortia that provides the Government with the ideal Local Fibre Company solution by delivering an open access fibre network that is both locally owned and nationally coordinated. The group is proposing to establish a common service organisation that will ensure nationwide consistency of service delivery and provide national access for retailers and service providers.

“The members of the NZRFG are motivated to expand their existing fibre networks as quickly as possible and don’t have the constraints imposed by having to utilise the existing older technology. The contracting companies required to lay the fibre are available nationally to whichever partner Crown Fibre Holdings choose to engage in each region.

“We will introduce new technology and cable installation processes that will provide new opportunities and considerable employment growth in the telecommunications contracting industry.”

“Enable already has partnerships with many of the companies who can deliver internet, voice and media services to the home. We are ready to work with CFH and the Government to build our fibre to the home network in and around Christchurch starting later this year.” says Steve Fuller.

ENDS

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