Chorus chosen to build more of rural NZ's fibre future

MEDIA STATEMENT – 17 April 2012

Chorus chosen to build more of rural New Zealand’s fibre future

Chorus is to extend the reach of fibre to many more schools, hospitals, integrated family health centres and now libraries after being selected by the Government to help deliver the second phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).

Chorus CEO Mark Ratcliffe said they are delighted to have been selected to help build more of rural New Zealand’s fibre future.

“Chorus’ existing 29,000km fibre network means we can quickly connect these community focal points and we will work with local communities to complete this rollout by the end of 2015,” said Ratcliffe.

In return for completing its RBI Phase 2 deployment in the North Island, Central and Lower South Island, Chorus will receive a large portion of the $12m allocated by the Government, as well as a small share of the $2.4m funding for remote schools.

Chorus’ deployment plans for RBI Phase 2 are close to being finalised and will be published on its website before the end of April 2012.

Since beginning its work on the RBI in July last year, Chorus has deployed 345km of RBI fibre connecting 234 rural schools and 104 fibre-fed roadside cabinets, putting fixed line broadband within reach of thousands of rural homes and businesses.

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