Chorus begins ultra-fast fibre broadband rollout in Wairoa

The roll out of Ultra-Fast Broadband which began yesterday is expected to bring "world-class connectivity" to local businesses. Photo / File

Nearly 2100 Wairoa homes and businesses will soon be able to connect to world-class fibre broadband.

Yesterday Chorus began the rollout of Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) in Wairoa, with build completion expected early next year.

Chorus general manager of infrastructure Ed Beattie said it had taken the first step toward bringing "world-class connectivity" to Wairoa.

"Fibre provides the broadband equivalent of an autobahn right to the doors of homes and businesses and it will future-proof Wairoa for the anticipated continued growth in data consumption for generations to come," he said.

Wairoa mayor Craig Little said high-speed internet access was essential to making necessary advancements in a new age of technology and economic development.

Average data usage across the nation is 187GB with an average connection speed of 65.3Mbps. In 2011 data consumption was an average of 13GB a month.

Gisborne and Napier are being connected to fibre under the first phase of UFB average 178.4GB and 169.8GB of data respectively, and experience average speeds of 53.2Mpbs and 57.9Mbps.

"It is wonderful that Wairoa is getting fibre at the same time as these other major cities," Mr Beattie said.

The entire UFB programme covers about 1.3 million houses, businesses, schools and medical centres. Across the country fibre has enabled improved patient care, allowing better access to educational online resources, and boosting commercial productivity.

As more people are realising the benefits of fibre, demand has increased substantially.

Once fibre is available to Wairoa residents, Chorus encouraged customers to contact their service provider to connect, and to check the Chorus website for more information.

In the meantime, fast broadband is already available in many parts of Wairoa via VDSL on our copper network.

Next week Wairoa residents will have an opportunity to speak with Chorus representatives about the build at a 'Shed the Light Night' at East End Café from 3pm to 7pm on February 27th.

-To find out if VDSL is available at an address visit askforbetter.co.nz.