Hawke’s Bay based electricity lines company Unison Networks is ready to bring ultra-fast fibre broadband to Palmerston North and Feilding.
Unison Networks chief executive Ken Sutherland today announced Unison was tendering to be the Local Fibre Company for Palmerston North and Feilding.
The move is part of Unison’s progressive bid to partner the Government in delivering ultra-fast fibre broadband across the central North Island and East Coast regions including Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.
Unison is also working closely with neighbouring lines companies to deliver fibre to Gisborne and Whakatane.
Unison’s tender is one of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group’s closely aligned proposals for consideration under the Government’s $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Mr Sutherland says extending Unison’s fibre rollout to Palmerston North is a logical progression and made sound commercial sense delivering ultra fast fibre broadband to a densely populated area with a large commercial hub.
“Unison would run fibre alongside the electricity network. The proposed rollout would be undertaken in co-operation and support from PowerCo and Unison would work together with the Palmerston North City Council.
“Broadband is an enabler of economic growth and bringing fibre to Palmerston North is an exciting and very positive investment in terms of leading the city forward in technology, communications, innovation and economic growth,” Mr Sutherland says.
Unison, which has fast-earned a reputation in the industry as one of the most forward driven line companies in New Zealand, is well advance with its ultra-fast fibre roll out for Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.
Mr Sutherland says Unison’s bid has received strong and unanimous support from community and business leaders.
“We have been meeting with mayors, local authority senior executives and business leaders to outline our tender proposal and have been encouraged by their support, unprecedented backing and enthusiasm,” Mr Sutherland says.
“We are committed to servicing all six regions with a multi-city roll out that would deliver ultra-fast broadband to over 100,000 homes and businesses.
“We are taking a progressive approach by advancing our fibre roll out to all these areas and government funding would allow us to fast-track the roll out to meet the Government’s desire for 75% of all New Zealanders having better broadband services.
“Ultra-fast fibre broadband will help all regions become far more competitive, bringing them closer to the rest of the country and the world as it breaks down communication distances,” he says.
Unison Networks is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity distribution businesses supplying more than 100,000 customers connected to networks in Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.
ENDS
Ken Sutherland
Chief Executive
Unison
PH: 06 873 9300
Steve Macmillan
Public Relations
New Zealand Regional Fibre Group
PH: 09 978 7660
Editors Notes:
· Unison is a member of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group
· A new subsidiary, Unison Fibre, has been established to undertake and manage Unison’s telecommunications business. Go to www.unisonfibre.co.nz
· Unison Fibre will be a truly open access platform, enabling retail competition for voice, broadband and other telecommunication services. It will benefit regional players and create a real alternative to Telecom’s Chorus network.
Unison Fibre’s model for access is that both lit and point-to-point dark fibre services will be provided.
Unison Fibre’s model for access is that both lit and point-to-point dark fibre services will be provided.
· Unison Fibre will be linking into all the main back haul operators to ensure maximum uptake of services.
The NZRFG is a group of regional operators including lines companies and local fibre companies, which has come together to support the Government’s efforts to introduce ultra-fast broadband to New Zealand. Members include Alpine Energy, Aurora Energy, CityLink, Counties Power, Eastland Group, Electra, Electricity Ashburton, Enable Networks Ltd, Horizon Energy, Network Tasman, Network Waitaki, Northpower, PowerNet, Unison, Vector, Velocity, Waipa Networks, WEL Networks and Westpower.