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Fifty-nine communities across New Zealand will soon have access to faster, more reliable
broadband.
broadband.
Chorus recently announced the completion of the country’s largest fibre network expansion since the end of the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) programme in 2022.
Spanning from Kerikeri in the Far North to Otatara in the deep south, the project represents a major step forward in closing the digital divide between urban and non-urban New Zealand.
In Franklin, three communities – Kingseat, Waiau Pa, and Glenbrook Beach – are amongst the 59 areas newly connected.
A spokeswoman for Chorus said the build work for these communities had already been
completed.
“Waiau Pa has one of the highest uptakes to date in the programme, sitting around 75 per cent at the end of July. Kingseat is not too far behind on around 70 per cent. Glenbrook Beach is already at 50 per cent despite only going live to customers at the end of April,” she said.
Residents and businesses in newly built areas can request fibre installations through their
preferred internet service provider.
“We’re incredibly proud to have delivered fibre to these communities, many of which have
waited a long time for access to fast, reliable broadband,” said Chorus chief executive Mark Aue.
By the end of June, civil works had been completed to over 9000 premises. Of these 4500 are now ready for service, with more than half having either already been connected or indicated an interest in being connected.
Aue said there has been a good response in the new fibre areas so far, and more households and businesses are expected to come online in the coming months, with the build complete and installations now available.
“Rural New Zealanders want and deserve the high-quality, dependable connectivity that fibre offers. Connectivity is not a luxury, it’s how we live, work and thrive,” Aue said.
“From online learning to remote work or telehealth appointments, this build shows the
opportunities unlocked by fibre in places that have historically been underserved. At a time
where core infrastructure is increasingly being lost in regional New Zealand, we’re trying to do the opposite and rebuild through digital capability.”
Customers can check whether their community is included in the network expansion at
www.chorus.co.nz/residential/fibre-extension.
