Eastland Group is investigating the commercial viability of introducing ultra-fast fibre broadband (UFB) to the region.

 

Group chief executive Matt Todd says he is keen to support a move to a fibre network but the business case must first stack up.

 

“We want it to happen because the region needs it so we are working hard to pull it together,” says Mr Todd.

 

“It’s a matter of getting that urban and rural mix just right but we do want to participate in the Government’s $1.5 billion ultra-fast fibre initiative.”

 

Following a meeting with with Communications Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister and MP for East Coast Anne Tolley, Eastland Group has continued to explore the option of submitting a proposal to partner with Government in the building of a UFB network within the East Coast.

 

Mr Joyce is the driving force behind the Government’s $1.5 billion UFB initiative.

 

The Government is calling for expressions of interest from parties interested in rolling out fibre networks around New Zealand. They have until January 29 to finalise submissions.

 

Mr Todd believes the Gisborne region could benefit immensely from the introduction of fibre, which he says provides broadband equivalent to the speed of light.

 

“Quite simply, I believe that ultra-fast broadband will be a competitive necessity if the regions, and New Zealand as a nation, are to compete globally in the future. Significant productivity gains will be impossible without it.”

 

He hopes the ongoing growth of a national lines and fibre operators collective – the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group - will be the catalyst for bringing a fibre optic network to the region.

 

Eastland Group joined 18-strong NZRFG in a bid to meet the Government’s call for open access ultra-fast fibre broadband to be in 75% of homes within 10 years.

 

NZRFG members will soon be bidding for some of the Government’s $1.5 billion fibre funding, and Eastland Group could be one of them. Submissions must be with the Government by January 29.

 

“While there are challenges for us in establishing a fibre network locally, with Government backing and the collective strength and expertise of the NZRFG, we could be underway with fibre in Gisborne within 12 months,” says Mr Todd.

 

“Clearly there would be benefits for local schools and businesses, but when you look at the likes of Ngati Porou with a membership of over 50,000 but with only around 16,000 of those living locally, ultra-fast fibre broadband connection speeds would be a huge boost in allowing people to keep in touch.”

 

Mr Todd says the economic benefits from fibre networks are recognised internationally as generating multi-million dollar lifts in earnings for towns and cities, along with greatly enhanced education and health services.

 

Job creation is another spin-off from fibre networks.

 

“A fibre network will make the broadband of today look like dial-up, simply because it works 300% faster, and with superb clarity and quality. But what people need to keep in mind is that internet is not the only way of utilising the versatility of fibre.

 

“Fibre is very much like electricity when it was first introduced early last century. No one at the time knew what would evolve from it and look how much it is a part of our lives now. It has affected us in ways we could never have imagined,” says Mr Todd.

 

“I expect fibre will be the same because we just don’t know what uses and applications will evolve over the next few years. Open access fibre isn’t just about fast internet or only having access to one provider. The logic is to have access to all sorts of providers, from telecommunications to TV, video conferencing and more.”

 

“Fibre is a critical investment for our local and national infrastructure this century and will connect us into global economies if we choose. And when you think of farmers out there still being on dial-up, imagine how much more efficiently their time could be spent

 

“When you think of the farming sector and the small towns in regions like ours, rural New Zealanders deserve first class communication as much as urban dwellers and those in the big cities who are already gaining access to it.

 

“Farmers are a very innovative breed and their business is more competitive than ever. With rising input costs and the fact that they are price takers - so like many businesses - they need to operate as efficiently as possible to have a competitive edge.

 

“Fibre will provide the infrastructure to help achieve that. It will give people instant access to anyone, anywhere in New Zealand, and to the rest of the world.”

 

Mr Todd says the NZRFG has developed a set of technical and service standards to ensure consistency amongst all members delivering fibre in the national roll-out of a fibre optic network.

ENDS