BCL broadens its digital network

By PETER GRIFFIN

State-owned Broadcast Communications (BCL) is going digital in the Far North and on the West Coast, in a $3 million network upgrade that will lay the foundations for wireless high-speed internet access in those regions.

BCL will replace analogue equipment in three Far North transmission sites and five more between Nelson and Greymouth with digital microwave radio.

The new equipment will carry everything from television broadcast services to wireless broadband backhaul in those areas. Fujitsu is providing the new radio equipment.

Until now digital microwave radio went as far as Whangarei, leaving analogue equipment to provide TV services to the Far North. A similar situation exists along the West Coast.

The upgrade introduces the possibility of wireless broadband services to local businesses, residents and schools for the first time.

Vodafone and Walker Wireless are also investing millions in the Far North on the back of picking up Government funding in April as part of Project Probe, the scheme designed to provide broadband to all schools by the end of next year.

BCL's managing director, Geoff Lawson, said it was unlikely BCL and its partner Telecom would have beaten the rival joint venture to the Probe money if the digital microwave upgrade had been undertaken earlier.

BCL had long signalled its intention to undertake the upgrades and that formed an element of its Probe pitch.

"That was part of the region that went with Walker Wireless and Vodafone outside of the Probe RFP process, but within potential Probe funding," said Lawson.

BCL had received enthusiastic feedback from the Far North about the upgrades, which are to be completed by the end of the year.

BCL takes a conservative approach to capital spending, often securing customers before it begins building out its network - a legacy of its public ownership. It expects to begin providing new services in those regions in the "short to medium term".

Telecom would be the most likely new entrant. It is a wholesale partner of BCL and has a partnership with equipment provider Airspan, which produces access units allowing voice and data communication wirelessly.

But Telecom spokesman John Goulter said the digital extensions would not be used by Telecom in the near future to push wireless broadband into the Far North or the West Coast.

"The work is not configured around immediate Probe or broadband demand," he said.

BCL has yet to sign up any other wholesale partners but is talking to a wide range of industry players, big and small.

As Lawson said, "these things take time to progress".

The extensions may satisfy increased demand from BCL's existing broadcast customers.

The digital microwave extensions are separate to BCL's upgrade of 28 sites in preparation for Telecom's delivering its wireless services in rural areas.

Lawson said the analogue equipment would be decommissioned.

"Some of it is reusable in some areas. But a lot of the equipment is older than you."

Digital microwave radio forms a major part of the company's national backbone, stretching the length of the country and capable of transferring large amounts of data.

BCL also has two fibre routes between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Digital microwave is generally less efficient than fibre but is cheaper and faster to establish..

Wireless extensions

BCL will extend its digital microwave radio network reach:

In the Far North, to Kaitaia, Ahipara, Mangonui, Kaeo, Kerikeri, Paihia, Hokianga Harbour, Kaikohe and Kawakawa.

On the West Coast, to Murchison, Maruia, Westport, Karamea, Punakaiki, Reefton, Greymouth, Hokitika and Haast.