Huawei on hand as Vodafone rolls out $22 million network upgrade to Christchurch and Wellington

Russell Stanners - CEO, Vodafone

Christchurch and Wellington are set to receive gigabit speeds at better price points as a result of a significant upgrade to Vodafone’s ultra-fast broadband network.

In partnership with Huawei, the $22 million network investment aims to better host cloud applications, ultra-high definition streaming and online gaming.

To achieve this, Vodafone’s network serving Christchurch, Wellington and Kapiti will be among the first in the world to deploy next-generation DOCSIS 3.1 architecture.

“Upon completion of the upgrade, every premise within reach of the network will have access to 1Gbps plans at affordable prices,” says Russell Stanners, CEO, Vodafone.

“This upgrade allows us to radically enhance the capacity and capability of our network while paving the way for Wellington and Christchurch to become New Zealand’s first gigacities.

“As a result of this upgrade, our network customers will be able to access online streaming, gaming, working and browsing at ultra-fast speeds with no compromise to quality.”

Echoing Stanners’ comments, Huawei New Zealand CEO Jason Wu says Huawei’s DOCSIS3.1 platform aims to “set a new standard for network evolution” to ultra-broadband across the globe.

“New Zealand will be the first country in the world to utilise this impressive new technology,” Wu says.

“It is an exciting development which will transform the performance of ultra-fast broadband networks.”

As Vodafone has full control over its ultra-fast broadband network installations, Stanners says the telco can offer Kiwi customers a straight-forward process to upgrade.

“High-speed broadband is central to the country’s future and steps like this will ensure we continue to be one step ahead of New Zealand’s growing data needs,” he adds.

“Our commitment to deliver Kiwis a network they can rely on is unwavering – across both fixed and mobile.”

Going forward, Stanners says enhanced capacity and 1Gbps plans will become progressively available across Vodafone’s ultra-fast broadband network from mid-2016.

Vodafone’s ultra-fast broadband network footprint in Wellington covers all of the central CBD and surrounding suburbs with Kapiti residents also set to have access to this network.

In Christchurch however, the network covers all of the central CBD and surrounding suburbs.