UFB connections up 135 per cent

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Minister for Communications

 Ministers Badge
15 February 2016

  Media statement

UFB connections up 135 per cent

The Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) programme is accelerating into 2016 with more New Zealanders taking up fibre broadband than ever before, according to latest figures released by Communications Minister Amy Adams.

“The UFB programme is transforming the way we live, work and learn. Each month, more people get connected, but the year-on-year growth is astounding. New Zealanders are chomping at the bit to get faster, more reliable broadband wherever they work, live and play,” Ms Adams says.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in recent years, helping New Zealand’s internet speeds to triple since 2008. These are already on track to more than double again.”

The latest quarterly report to December 2015 shows UFB connections grew by 135 per cent over the past year to more than 162,000, meaning uptake increased from around one-in-nine to almost one-in-five.

The report shows fibre coverage increased by 54 per cent last year, with more than 300,000 additional households and businesses now able to connect for the first time.

“The strong progress of the UFB initiative means more than 875,000 New Zealand households and businesses were able to connect to UFB at the end of 2015,” says Ms Adams.

Fibre deployment is now 60 per cent complete and coverage to businesses and schools increased to 96 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.

“We’ve also recently announced all New Zealand state and state-integrated schools have access to faster broadband speeds as they return to school in 2016, under the UFB and Rural Broadband Initiative rollout. This will benefit their studies and online learning immeasurably.

“New Zealanders fully grasp how important technology is to the future of this country and they are eager to keep up with the latest digital developments. Twelve months ago, around 5000 households and businesses were being connected each month. This has now doubled to more than 10,000 per month.

“As we accelerate into 2016, I look forward to more and more New Zealanders connecting to UFB.

“High-speed internet makes communicating quick and easy. It gives businesses a competitive advantage and improves access to health and education opportunities. It’s no wonder New Zealanders are jumping on board to get connected,” says Ms Adams.

The Ultra-Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiatives are expected to result in over 4000 jobs between them.

The full quarterly update can be found at: http://goo.gl/g6JGXv

At a glance:

·         More than 875,000 homes, businesses, schools and hospitals now able to connect to UFB

·         162,913 connected to UFB – a 22 per cent increase on last quarter

·         Build 60 per cent complete across New Zealand

·         UFB uptake is at 18.6 per cent

·         Over 200,000 businesses able to connect to UFB

UFB: Year on year improvements

December 2014 December 2015
End users able to connect 570K 875K
% project complete 42% 60%
% businesses passed 87% ~96%
% schools passed 91% 100%
Uptake 11.3% 18.6%
Connections 69K 162K
Order / working day 400 ~950
Connects / working day 200-250 ~600
Gross connects / month 4000-4500 ~12,000

 

Media contact: Julian Light 021 243 8528 or Lauren Wallis 021 918 329

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