Computerworld

​Masterton onboard as Chorus completes $20 million UFB build

“Access to faster, more reliable broadband will open up an array of opportunities for the Masterton community."

Chorus has marked the completion of its Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network build in Masterton, meaning more than 9,500 households, businesses, schools and health facilities now have access to fibre.

Masterton is the seventh town in New Zealand to have its fibre network completed under Chorus’ UFB programme.

“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 Masterton community can best take advantage of having world-class connectivity right on their door step.”

Harris says Chorus is building about 70 percent of the UFB network in a public-private partnership with the Government.

At present, Chorus is about 45 percent of the way through the rollout of the UFB network, which is New Zealand’s largest ever communications project.

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.

As well as Masterton, Chorus has also completed UFB build work in Oamaru, Ashburton, Blenheim, Timaru, Taupo and Greymouth.

Across New Zealand, Harris says fibre uptake remains strong, with more than 86,000 premises now connected to a fibre service in Chorus’ UFB areas.

“Access to faster, more reliable broadband will open up an array of opportunities for the Masterton community,” adds Amy Adams, Communications Minister.

“Faster, more reliable broadband removes the barrier of distance and means towns like Masterton can better position themselves to attract businesses and residents domestically and internationally.

“Better connectivity will help create more jobs and improve health and education outcomes across the Wairarapa region.”

Together, the Government and Chorus have invested more than $20 million in bringing better broadband to Masterton.

“Providing as many New Zealanders as possible with connectivity is a Government priority and we’re now looking ahead at our next steps,” Adams adds.

The Government recently set an aspirational target that would see 99 percent of New Zealanders able to access peak broadband speeds of at least 50 Mbps by 2025.

An additional $360 million dollars has also been set aside to extend the Ultra-Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiatives and to create a Mobile Black Spot Fund.