UFB boost for small business

Ultra-fast broadband uptake is slower than expected among Wairarapa businesses.

Ultra-fast broadband is "changing the way" Wairarapa businesses operate and is also set to save business owners significant time and money, experts say.

But local uptake is proving slower than expected.

A quarter of small and medium-sized businesses in the Wellington region, including Wairarapa, are already connected to ultra-fast broadband (UFB), a survey shows - the highest uptake rate in the country.

As of December, 19 per cent of Wellington region's fibre optic network infrastructure had been built.

Transtasman accounting software provider MYOB surveyed more than 1000 small and medium businesses nationwide this year.

Of the Wellington region businesses questioned, more than half said hooking up to a fibre-based ultra-fast network would have a positive impact on their operations.

Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stephanie Gundersen-Reid said ultra-fast broadband had already been rolled out in Masterton, and in a "tiny pocket" in Carterton.

"I personally think it will be great for business and it will also mean that people can diversify, instead of working from an office, a lot of them will be able to work from anywhere."

Fibre optic internet would also help local farmers access information more quickly, and improve communication between Masterton businesses and their Australian counterparts, she said.

"It will change how we do business."

While ultra-fast broadband was available now, not as many locals had taken the opportunity as hoped for. "With anything new ... it takes a few [people] to get the ball rolling."

Fibre will be capable of peak speeds of at least 100 megabits per second - up to 10 times faster than a regular broadband connection.
- APN News & Media