Taupo's ultra fast network complete

FILE

Chorus has today announced it has finished building its Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network in Taupo - the first town it has completed in the North Island.

Chorus today joined Taupo MP Louise Upston and Mayor David Trewavas at an event at Base Taupo, which is already benefiting from UFB, to celebrate the completion of the project.

Taupo is the fourth town in New Zealand to have its fibre network completed under Chorus' UFB programme.

The completion of the project in Taupo means nearly 13,000 households, businesses, schools and health facilities are now able to access fibre.

"As one of the first towns to be completed by Chorus, Taupo is now in the enviable position of getting a head start on the rest of New Zealand," Chorus Chief Technology Officer Ewen Powell said.

"UFB has the potential to transform New Zealand's economy, our communities, and the way we connect to the rest of the world, so we're really looking forward to seeing how the Taupo community can take advantage of having world-class connectivity right on their door step."

Base Taupo General Manager Laura Crowther said her business had seen many benefits since switching to UFB, including being able to offer it to tens of thousands of tourists a year.

"The people here who are really excited about UFB are our guests.

"Most of the 3500 international travellers that walk through our doors each month have an insatiable appetite for data and social media.

"Their need for keeping in touch with their families back home via Skype or FaceTime, booking tours, or streaming their favourite television programme can now all be achieved seamlessly without drop-outs or buffering.

"And of course our guests' continual uploading of their photos to sites like Facebook and Instagram - thanks to UFB - helps showcase Taupo and New Zealand to the world.

"Also, our booking and accommodation operating systems are all online so UFB also makes for a much more efficient business to run.

"And our other 13 Base Backpacker properties are spread over New Zealand and Australia so it has really streamlined communication."

Chorus is building about 70 per cent of the UFB network in a public-private partnership with the Government.

Chorus has 24 areas around New Zealand where it is deploying the UFB network. All up, Chorus' UFB network will run past more than 830,000 homes, businesses, schools and health facilities throughout the country by the end of 2019.