Ultra-Fast Broadband extended in Bay

More Bay of Plenty towns are about to receive ultra-fast broadband. File photo.

Communications Minister Simon Bridges has announced 10 more towns in the Bay of Plenty will be included in the government's Ultra-Fast Broadband programme.

The announcement is part of the launch of the second, $300 million phase of the Government's UFB programme, which will see fibre being rolled out to 151 towns and 43 suburban fringe areas around the larger centres which were covered by the first phase of the Government's UFB programme.

Simon says the $17 million investment in the UFB extension programme for the Bay of Plenty reflects the government's broader focus on growing and diversifying New Zealand's regional economies.

'Connectivity is critical to our regional economies and to New Zealand's future. Fibre has already been deployed in Tauranga, Rotorua, and Whakatane under the first phase of UFB.

'Once the UFB extension is completed, over 30,000 people in small towns across the Bay of Plenty will be able to experience the same world-class broadband as Kiwis living in larger centres, and tap into the benefits.

'This means more productive businesses, improvements to health care through video-conferencing between doctors, specialists and patients, and improved access to online resources for students and teachers.

'Once the full UFB programme is complete, almost 243,000 people in the Bay of Plenty will be able to access UFB.”

Towns in the Bay of Plenty to receive access to fibre under the UFB extension programme include Te Puke, Kawerau, Katikati, Opotiki and Ohope/Coastlands, among others.

Ultrafast Fibre Chief Executive William Hamilton says the expanded network footprint is eagerly anticipated by these communities and the Retail Service Providers who will offer them fibre broadband services.

'We know smaller centres are very keen to access the same high-speed communication infrastructure as the big cities already do. Along with our partners, we are delighted to be recognised for our achievements to date and to now continue playing such an important part in expanding access to this fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders.”

William says increasingly people expect reliability, consistency of performance as well speed from their broadband. As more and more high definition TV, video and gaming content is accessed online, often from multiple devices at the same time, this is really only possible on ultra-fast fibre broadband.

Areas in which UFB will be rolled out. Supplied image.

Rotorua and Te Puke MP Todd McClay says it's fantastic news Te Puke will have access to faster and more reliable internet.

'I have been committed to bringing UFB to Te Puke so this announcement is fantastic news. Faster internet connections was a campaign pledge I made three years ago and I've been working hard with ministers to ensure we were included in the UFB2 announcement.”

Further information, including a full list of the towns and other areas that will be receiving access to fibre in the region and an indication of timing for the rollout, is available at www.broadband.govt.nz

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