Carterton a contender for fast broadband

Minister for Communications Amy Adams launched the UFB Request for Proposals yesterday at Carterton's Premier Bacon, and said the town was a "strong contender" for the roll-out. FILE PHOTO

Carterton is a strong contender for the next stage of Ultra Fast Broadband Rollout, says Minister for Communications Amy Adams.

Ms Adams launched the UFB Request for Proposals yesterday at Carterton's Premier Bacon, which included the names of a long list of towns who are "strong contenders in the second stage" of the rollout.

"We've set aside $210 million to do it," she said.

"And with Crown Fibre's help, we are now going to be getting fibre to as many towns as possible in a long list we have put up today - which I can tell you that Carterton, Featherston, Martinborough, and Greytown are all on that long list."

Ms Adams said she can't guarantee that every town on the long list will be connected to UFB but that she will aim to make as many connections as she can within the budget.

"Fibre to the home is the world leading and gold standard of connectivity." she said.

"It is the best that can be put in. It is what all of our competitor countries are looking to as the gold standard."

Ms Adams said that having great connectivity in regions is a competitive advantage for Wairarapa.

"We know that if we want businesses to come out to places like Carterton or the Wairarapa and stay here and continue to grow, this is the sort of infrastructure that is necessary," she said.

"You can connect to your customers, to your workforce, to your bankers, to your advisors, in real time, and yet you're not dealing with Auckland property crises, Wellington traffic, Christchurch smog, or any of the other disadvantages of being in the major centres."

The nine-year UFB build started in December 2010 and was one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken in New Zealand.

Masterton was selected for UFB rollout in the first stage which has already given potential connectivity to more than 9500 households, businesses, schools and health facilities.