Unison Disappointed It Wont Be Building UFB Initiative

Unison Disappointed but Advancing fibre build to network regions.

Unison is disappointed that it will not be partnering with the Government to deliver its ultra fast broadband to the home initiative.

Unison chairman Kevin Atkinson said the company fundamentally believed that the original intent of Local Fibre Companies was the right approach by the Crown. However the decision has now been made to take a national approach by awarding the initiative to Telecom.

“Unison remains fully committed to leading its network regions of Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and Rotorua forward by delivering fibre to business, health, education institutions and local authorities as a key enabler of economic growth,” Mr Atkinson said.

Unison group chief executive Ken Sutherland said “Unison is disappointed that we will not be partnering with the Government to deliver its ultra fast broadband to the home initiative. UnisonFibre was already well advanced with over 140 km of fibre rolled out across Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and Rotorua.

“We are strongly positioned to deliver even more for business and our fibre network is opening the door to greater competition and opportunity.”

However, Unison remains committed to a targetted delivery of open access fibre networks to business, local government, health and educational institutions.

Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers Trust chairman John Newland, said the Trust is very supportive of Unison’s investment in fibre and the work of the Board and the Company are doing.

The Mayors of Unison’s three network regions, who had all supported Unison to partner the Government in its bid, have today commended the vision and investment the Company was making in the region.

Mayors Kevin Winters(Rotorua), Rick Cooper (Taupo), Barbara Arnott (Napier) and Lawrence Yule (Hastings) said Unison is showing great leadership in the roll out of technology and innovation for the future growth and performance of its network regions.

Unison is building a fibre network, which provides a backbone fibre loop to deliver a faster, more reliable and safer electricity network.

Unison, had led a bid by the CentralFibre consortium, which included three other network companies - Counties Power (Pukekohe and Waiuku), Horizon (Whakatane) and Centralines (Central Hawke’s Bay).

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