Expanding Tararua Broadband

Wairarapa and Tararua councils are in discussions with Telecom/Chorus for future rural broadband services.

Telecom/Chorus is working with four areas in New Zealand to build a collaboration model – Wairarapa/Tararua, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Southland.

“These are four areas that have significant experience in developing their own rural broadband services,” Tararua manager strategy and district development Peter Wimsett said.
“It is very positive to be working with Telecom/Chorus in a proactive way.”

Government funding in rural areas is initially focussing on the provision of fibre to rural schools and the health sector.

Mr Wimsett has been a driving force behind Tararua’s fibre optic initiative which has seen cable laid the length of the district in a three way partnership between the council, FX Networks and Palmerston North service provider Inspire Net.

In Tararua there is now an extensive wireless network in place and it is expanding through Inspire Net.
A number of schools and health providers are also connected either with fibre or with wireless services delivering fast broadband.

Next year Telecom is due to upgrade its cabinets in Pahiatua and Dannevirke and this will improve copper network internet services to homes.

Telecom/Chorus had set up a Tararua/Wairarapa broadband meeting along with its competitors to establish a collaborative approach to developing broadband services, Mr Wimsett said.

“To the consumer it makes sense not to duplicate services except where it reduces the problem of lines being cut and improves competition.”