NZ's UFB now extends to all of Christchurch

New Zealand’s Ultrafast Broadband national fibre broadband network now covers the entirety of the city of Christchurch and surrounding area.

The fibre network is now available directly to nearly 200,000 end users in the city after the build in Christchurch was completed a year ahead of schedule, Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Clare Curran announced.

“Christchurch is the first of the country’s three major centres to have the ultrafast broadband infrastructure completely built,” she said.

But currently only around 35.6% of Christchurch households and businesses are connected to the network, so the government’s next step will be to encourage further adoption.

“UFB can deliver speeds close to 1000 megabits per second. Having ultrafast broadband in classrooms, businesses or at home greatly improves access to educational and entertainment content, improves productivity and encourages innovation in the tech sector,” Curran said.

“Being connected has become an essential part of our everyday lives. The completion in Christchurch means existing businesses and emerging businesses are able to connect to the best infrastructure on offer. I hope this will help boost the economy and the fortunes of the people of Christchurch.”

The government is currently around 5% ahead of schedule with its plan to make fibre broadband available to 87% of New Zealand households and businesses by the end of 2022. The network currently covers nearly 1.3 million end users nationwide, with a take-up rate of around 42%.

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