Computerworld

​100,000 fibre connections and counting as NZ demand doubles

“One in every 20 broadband connections is through fibre."

New Zealand has over 100,000 fibre-optic broadband connections, more than double the number of fibre connections in 2014.

Statistics New Zealand findings claim this change is being driven by the ultra-fast broadband roll-out continuing, and “strong demand” for fibre from customers.

“One in every 20 broadband connections is through fibre,” says Jason Attewell, Senior Manager of Business Performance, Statistics New Zealand.

“While it’s still a small proportion, it has the potential to grow rapidly now that the infrastructure for connecting to fibre is available.”

Attewell says fibre connections are offered by many New Zealand Internet service providers in 2015, with over 60 percent supplied customers with fibre-based connections.

“Faster fibre connections allow for more data-heavy Internet usage, and Kiwis are embracing the possibilities that fibre brings,” Attewell adds.

“Both households and businesses can benefit from fast Internet - streaming video, gaming, and video conferencing are all very accessible with fibre broadband.”

According to Crown Fibre Holdings, the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative aims to have 75 percent of New Zealanders in 33 towns and cities able to connect to fibre by 2019 - a total of 1,340,000 households.

Recently, the programme has been extended to reach at least 80 percent of New Zealanders.

These figures come from the 2015 annual Internet Service Provider Survey, a supply side survey that is sent to all Internet service providers in New Zealand.