Northpower Fibre UFB reaches Dargaville

Dargaville now has access to some of the best broadband in the world thanks to the Northpower Fibre UFB network going live in the first part of the township this week - two months ahead of schedule.

The Kaipara District is the biggest beneficiary of the Northpower Fibre UFB expansion because it will give 6000 people access to ultra-fast broadband, compared to just over 3000 in Whangarei District by 2021.

Mangawhai’s UFB build will be completed in three stages, with construction of the network underway. Other Kaipara towns to receive Northpower Fibre include Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, Paparoa and Ruawai.

“When you think about the fact that Northpower’s origins began in Dargaville back in 1920 - which is when the Northern Wairoa Hydro Electric Power Board was formed - it’s nice to be bringing the latest in broadband technology to the town where it all started,” says Northpower Fibre Chief Executive Darren Mason.

With the first stage of the Dargaville UFB network now live, 500 people can connect to Northpower Fibre in the township. More than 70 people have already signed up to connect and Northpower Fibre crews are currently working on 60 of the Dargaville UFB orders. An additional 500 locals will be able to connect in a month when the second part of the town goes live.

Northpower Fibre will complete the entire Dargaville UFB expansion within a year – which will give UFB access to another 1100 people. Ultimately, fibre will reach a total of over 2000 Dargaville residents and businesses.

First connections to Northpower Fibre’s Dargaville UFB network were made on Wednesday, with local resident Michelle Arnesen calling the connection process to her Hokianga Road home seamless.

Mr Mason says he is really proud of the progress his team is making expanding the UFB Network.

“We recently reached over 50% uptake in Whangarei (11,500 customers connected to the network out of a possible 22,000) and continue to remain ahead of schedule expanding the network to 12 more towns in Kaipara and Whangarei,” says Mr Mason.

“Northpower Fibre’s UFB expansion beyond Whangarei to areas like Hikurangi, Waipu and One Tree Point has seen 500 people connect – an uptake rate of 25% already.

“The message I want to get out there is for people to go to northpowerfibre.co.nz to register their interest, so we can connect their home or business as soon as possible to the fibre network which is ready and waiting just outside their gate. It costs no more to get the ultra-fast broadband experience right now.

“Our aim is to lift our ownership of the Northpower Fibre business from 63% to achieve full ownership by 2020 – remembering the Government is the other shareholder in the business,” says Mr Mason.

Northpower and Northpower Fibre are founding sponsors of Tai Tokerau Education Trust which is creating life-changing educational outcomes for Northland students.

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