57,000 customers in reach of Chorus’ UFB network

MEDIA RELEASE

2 August 2012

57,000 customers in reach of Chorus’ UFB network

Chorus today confirmed that about 57,000 customers were able to connect to its growing Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network as at 30 June 2012.

Chorus CEO Mark Ratcliffe said that the telecommunications network company was focused on getting the new network operational for as many customers as possible, as quickly as possible.

“By the end of our first year, we had built the new fibre network past about 42,000 premises with thousands more close to completion. This means more than 57,000 customers are able to connect to ultra-fast broadband,” Ratcliffe said.

Since starting in September last year, Chorus has more than 200 work crews helping to build the network across 12 urban centres and expects to have built the network past 149,000 premises by July 2013.

Since the launch of the first retail service provider in March, approximately 100 customers have been connected to Chorus’ UFB network. This excludes approximately 5,000 fibre customers already connected to Chorus’ existing network which will be incorporated into the rollout numbers as it progresses into more areas.

Later this month, Chorus will begin updating the number of customers within reach of ultra-fast broadband on its website.

ENDS.
Chorus is New Zealand's largest telecommunications utility company. It maintains and builds a network predominately made up of local telephone exchanges, cabinets and some 1.8 million copper and fibre optic lines connecting homes and businesses throughout the country. Its open access network and innovative new wholesale products and services are used by many different phone and internet service providers, helping them to deliver the services their customers rely on. Chorus is included in the NZX 10 Index comprising New Zealand's 10 largest domestic companies. More information is available at www.chorus.co.nz.

Information on Chorus’ UFB project can be viewed online at: www.chorus.co.nz/ultrafast-broadband

Chorus’ online map outlining its UFB candidate areas, the initial deployment plans and its business fibre area can be viewed at: www.chorus.co.nz/fibre-rollout-map

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