Ultra-fast Broadband deployment begins in Tauranga

23 August 2011

Ultra-fast Broadband deployment begins in Tauranga.

Ultra-fast broadband has come to Tauranga, with the official deployment launch today. The deployment is part of the Government’s commitment to invest NZ$1.3 billion to deliver ultra-fast broadband to 75 per cent of the population by the end of 2019.

Ultrafast Broadband Limited, the local fibre company joint venture between Crown Fibre Holdings and the WEL Networks subsidiary, Ultrafast Fibre Limited, is managing the network build and operation in Tauranga. Today’s official launch in Tauranga follows that of Wanganui earlier this month and Hamilton in July. Deployments will commence in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, New Plymouth, Hawera and Tokoroa from 2012. The entire build is expected to take five years, with an estimated value in excess of $300m. Of this, an estimated $75m of Crown funding will be invested in Tauranga.

“In terms of population, Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. This has brought about a growing demand and appetite for fast broadband, said Ultrafast Broadband Ltd Chair Rodger Fisher. Priority One, the economic development agency for Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, has said UFB is possibly the single most important element in its strategy to retain, grow and attract highly productive businesses.

“The area’s industries such as marine, food & beverage and transport will benefit from UFB in many ways, including improved logistics and better information services,” said Fisher. “UFB will assist the 400 member strong Western Bay of Plenty ICT cluster, and the planned Nautilus technology park near the Tauranga CBD will be amongst the first areas deployed.”

Under the UFB initiative, fibre will be delivered to priority users such as businesses, schools, health premises and certain tranches of residential premises by the end of 2015. Once the infrastructure is completed, residents and businesses will be advised and can contact a retailer to get connected. To register interest in receiving UFB or for more information on the deployment progress in each of the candidate areas go to www.ultrafastbroadband.co.nz

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