Chorus UFB connections surge
Chorus has reported a 45 per cent increase in the number of fibre broadband connections in the three months to 30 June, taking the total to 433,000, exceeding the number of ADSL connections for the first time.
Chorus has reported a 45 per cent increase in the number of fibre broadband connections in the three months to 30 June, taking the total to 433,000, exceeding the number of ADSL connections for the first time.
Chorus will trial Nokia wavelength services on its metro optical network in Auckland to enable it to offer on-demand assurance and fulfilment of Layer 1 services.
Chorus has warned the Government that, without direct intervention, deployment of 5G cellular technology by New Zealand’s three mobile network operators could exacerbate the country’s digital divide.
Chorus plans to launch in May a proof of concept trial of direct broadcasting to consumers’ homes over its fibre network, with guaranteed capacity sufficient to deliver programming in 4K or 8K.
Chorus CEO Kate McKenzie has sought to put a positive spin on a first half result that showed net earning down 29 percent, describing the loss of “just 5,000 broadband connections over six months” as “a positive outcome.”
Chorus has announced the resignation of Scott Newton, general manager, strategy and business operations after just four months in the job.
Chorus has reported a 24 percent increase in net profit for FY17 despite a decline in broadband connections as copper broadband connections decline and as take-up of competitors’ wireless broadband increases.
Chorus has announced a reorganisation of its senior management roles.
2degrees has become the first nationwide customer for Chorus’ 100Gbps backhaul service, with the announcement of a multiyear contract to use Chorus as its primary provider of national backhaul capacity.
The Commerce Commission has released a study that shows 90 percent of the recent reductions in Chorus’ regulated wholesale broadband prices have flowed through to consumers.
The Innovation Partnership, a body sponsored by Google, Chorus and InternetNZ, says New Zealand is falling short on ‘digital inclusion’ and it has called on Government to address the issue in collaboration with other organisations.
According to data from Chorus, Dunedin – which in 2013 became New Zealand’s first Gigatown – is well ahead of the rest of the country in broadband speeds with an average bandwidth of 196Mbps, more than three times that of the next fastest centre.
The Commerce Commission has released the final decision in its review of the non-price features of Chorus’ Unbundled Bitstream Access (UBA) service, imposing tighter congestion reporting requirements than those envisaged in its draft decision.
Broadspectrum (formerly Transfield Services) has signed an eight- year contract with Chorus for the rollout of the Ultra Fast Broadband Extension (UFB2).
Chorus has reported net profit after tax for the six months to 31 December 2016 of $66m, double the figure for the same period last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were up 60 percent to $335m.