Ultrafast broadband in eight centres

Twelve months since Ultrafast Fibre started its network build in Hamilton, the local fibre company is now actively rolling out broadband in all eight of its centres.

CEO, Maxine Elliott, says the build is on schedule and tracking to plan.

“One year ago, we began constructing our 3000-kilometre fibre network in Hamilton. Throughout the past year, we’ve also begun progressively building in our other seven centres including Tauranga, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Hawera, Tokoroa, Cambridge, Te Awamutu.

“As of 30 June, we’ve laid just over 400 kilometres of cable combined in all eight centres.  We’ve passed over 20,000 premises, including schools, businesses, hospitals and households.  And around 10,000 customers are now able to connect to ultra-fast broadband in their local communities,” says Ms Elliott.

Currently, only customers in Tauranga and Hamilton are able to connect to the Ultrafast Fibre network.  Customers in the other six centres will be able to start connecting later this year.

“So far, in Hamilton and Tauranga we’ve had a total of around 60 connections ordered by local retail service providers,” says Ms Elliott.

The Ultrafast Fibre network build has provided an employment boost in the Central North Island.  Around 175 contractors have been inducted to work on the local fibre company’s construction project.  Plus, Ultrafast Fibre has hired 27 people to work from its Hamilton headquarters.

Construction of the Ultrafast Fibre network will be completed by December 2016.  The five-year construction timeframe makes it the fastest local fibre network build in New Zealand.

For people interested in learning when they can get connected to the Ultrafast Fibre network, they can go to: ultrafastfibre.co.nz/coverage.  The company recently launched a tool on this webpage that allows visitors to type in their home or business address to find out when ultra-fast broadband will be available at their premise.

“As soon as fibre is available to your premise, you can connect by contacting your preferred broadband provider.  A list of providers operating in each city is listed on our website,” says Ms Elliott.