Under the New Zealand Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) rollouts, more than 1.2 million kiwis can now connect to faster and more reliable internet.
The Communications Minister, Amy Adams recently announced that more than 921,000 households, businesses, schools and hospitals are able to connect to the UFB network, and more than 285,000 rural premises are able to access a RBI service.
As at 31 March 2016, nationwide uptake of UFB had nearly reached 200,000, or 21.3%, with the build in sixteen regional towns now complete.
“The RBI continues to extend coverage to rural areas across New Zealand and uptake of these services by both residential and business customers has reached 37.3%,” added Adams. “Together, both initiatives mean over 1.2 million New Zealanders can connect to faster internet. The rollouts are on target and lifting internet speeds across New Zealand.”
A total of 142 newly built Rural Broadband towers are in operation, making the new tower build 92% complete. Tower upgrades are now 87% complete, with 338 RBI towers upgraded. And almost 1200 cabinets in rural areas have been upgraded under the RBI.