Techies sign up to build network

Eighteen technology companies have put their hands up to be involved in the Government's $1.5 billion super-fast broadband network spend-up.

Simon Allen, chair of Crown Fibre Holdings, the entity set up to oversee the planned 10-year project to build the network, said 33 proposals had been received from 18 submitters - including consortiums made up of more than one company - when the deadline for applications closed at the end of last week.

Allen said CFH had received two proposals from companies wanting to build a nationwide network, while the other bids were specific to certain regions.

He also said a proposal had been received from "an experienced international fibre operator".

The Government has divided the country into 33 "local fibre areas" for the project, a move that has been criticised by some in the industry as making the process too complex.

But Allen said proposals had been received for all 33 areas "and it is very pleasing that there are a number of proposals from regional New Zealand which have strong community support".

He said CFH would announce by the end of next week an indicative timetable for the process of assessing the proposals it had received.

As well as major telecommunications companies Telecom, Vodafone, and TelstraClear, other lines and utility companies have also put their hands up to be considered for the broadband network project.

The Regional Fibre Group, which represents 19 regional lines and fibre companies, said its members had submitted a number of closely aligned proposals.

It said 10 of its members had already begun building fibre networks within their regions and government funding would provide a boost that would enable that process to be fast-tracked.