“For Auckland to be a Super City, the only option is for fibre to be taken to the door of every premises in Auckland and this needs to occur super fast,” says Vector Chief Executive Simon Mackenzie.

 

“Our submission delivers that and we can start the build this year,” says Mr Mackenzie, who remains confident Vector can negotiate a commercially viable partnership with the Government.

 

Mr Mackenzie says Vector’s proposal is neither complicated, nor dependent on lengthy and complex structural changes which brings with them inherent uncertainty.

 

“Importantly we are not encumbered by legacy assets. In fact, we will be extending our fibre-only communications network.

 

“This is important for New Zealand, as fibre is fast becoming an everyday utility service for customers which the Government has recognised in establishing this initiative.”

 

Mr Mackenzie says that in the spirit of the process Vector, as an operator of multiple utility networks, has also proposed potential alternative options around a fibre utility which meet the Crown’s objectives and which he is looking forward to discussing with CFH.

 

“Vector has previously submitted a proposal to deliver to the rural sector of Auckland which integrates well into the fibre network proposed for the Auckland region. What we have submitted supports the Government’s process.

 

“As a largely Auckland community owned company and one that has over 75% Auckland community ownership and over 95% New Zealand shareholder ownership, importantly, the commercial return from this initiative will stay in New Zealand, benefitting future generations.

 

“This is different to other parties we believe to be bidding for the Auckland fibre network build who are majority foreign owned.

 

“We certainly have the retailer support to make this work, based on our rapidly expanding fibre network provides multi-gigabit fibre connectivity to over one hundred service providers who distribute it to hundreds of thousands of end users. The UFB build would be a natural extension of that.

 

“Vector continues to work with fellow New Zealand Regional Fibre Group members on technical standards and interoperability to ensure local community ownership and regional fibre network deployment under a nationally coordinated framework.”

 

Mr Mackenzie says national coordination will be further bolstered by the potential establishment of a common service organisation by the NZRFG. The entity will oversee consistency of service delivery and provide national network access for service providers.

 

ENDS