Easier install access an important step for UFB rollout

Easier install access an important step for UFB rollout

The Government’s announcement of streamlined consenting rules for installing Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) is an excellent step towards getting all New Zealanders connected.

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says property access for installations is one of the most important issues facing the UFB rollout, and he is happy to finally see that Government, and Minister Adams, have moved to deal with the problem.

“There is rapidly growing demand for UFB, and Government is rightly focused on making sure there are no unnecessary delays for customers wanting to get connected,” says Young.

“These new rules will allow customers living down shared driveways and right-of-ways to be able to access this nationally important infrastructure without unnecessary difficulty or delay.

“Just last week TUANZ reiterated the importance of dealing with install access issues. We hope that the necessary legislation will be drafted and moved through the House as soon as possible.

“Just as importantly, we are looking forward to seeing Government’s plans for opening up install access to multi-dwelling units (apartments for example) where people have been unable to get fibre installed, and measures to provide certainty to network operators about access to private property to maintain fibre infrastructure,” says Young.

There is still a lot of work to be done by industry to ensure that customers don’t have to wait to get connected, from streamlining how they work together to service customers, to the notable shortage in the number of technicians that can install fibre - a more complicated process than a traditional install.

“A quick and painfree install process is vital to the success of the UFB programme,” says Young.

ENDS

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