NZ has 50% uptake for ultra-fast broadband

The number of New Zealand homes and businesses adopting ultra-fast broadband has now reached the 50% mark.

This uptake is across the 121 centres where ultra-fast broadband (UFB) is currently available, according to Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi.

“That’s 714,258 end users who are enjoying the benefits of ultra-fast broadband in their homes and businesses,” he said.

“This government program is about 77% complete, with 1,432,554 users now able to connect to the network. When the UFB infrastructure is fully deployed by the end of 2022, people in more than 390 towns and cities will be able to connect to the country’s fibre network.”

The latest UFB progress report shows 15 towns have uptake rates above 50%: Auckland, Blenheim, Cambridge, Dunedin, Hamilton, Nelson, New Plymouth, Pukekohe, Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Tīmaru, Waipu, Waiuku and Whāngārei.

Waiuku has taken over from Dunedin as the centre with the highest percentage uptake — just over 59%.

“Uptake rates across the country indicate UFB is fast becoming Kiwis’ preferred broadband technology,” Faafoi said.

“We also know a lot of New Zealanders are keen internet users, and use is increasing year on year. For example, the Commerce Commission’s 2018 report showed Kiwis’ average monthly data use per fixed-line broadband connection was 172 GB, compared to 117 GB in 2017.”

In the latest quarter from October to December 2018, the UFB build began in 15 towns, adding to the 51 areas where the build is currently underway.

Image credit: ©alphaspirit/Dollar Photo Club

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