Telecom wholesale rolling our super-fast broadband technology

In its latest move to offer New Zealanders world class broadband services,
Telecom Wholesale is installing the newest and most advanced standard of
super-fast broadband – known as VDSL2 (‘Very High-Speed Digital Subscriber
Line 2’).

“This super-fast technology takes advantage of our push to get fibre
closer to the home. It offers a huge step-up in broadband speed and is
the next key phase of Telecom New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar capital
expenditure programme,” said Telecom CEO Paul Reynolds.

To help meet Telecom’s commitment to delivering even faster broadband
speeds to homes and businesses throughout New Zealand, the new VDSL2
capability will be offered from fibre-fed roadside cabinets and local
telephone exchanges within Telecom’s local access network.

VDSL2 is expected to offer customers who live one kilometre or less from
an exchange or roadside cabinet download speeds of up to 50Mbps and upload
speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Already 57 per cent of New Zealand lines can take advantage of Telecom’s
next generation access network and this grows to 84 per cent on completion
of the fibre-to-the-node roll out in 2011.

VDSL2 broadband plans will most benefit those who regularly download large
files or use their broadband service for multiple voice, video and other
applications.

Telecom Wholesale Chief Executive, Matt Crockett, said: “We have been
testing VDSL2 for several months now and we’re excited to be getting the
VDSL2 roll out underway in key metropolitan centres across New Zealand.
With the fibre-to-the-node programme hotting up and shortening copper loop
lengths across the country it’s the perfect time to deploy VDSL2.

“Getting fibre and the VDSL2 broadband electronics closer to the home
means we can offer our wholesale customers one of the fastest broadband
services in the world. It’s an important step in our commitment to
provide New Zealand service providers, and their end-users, with world
class broadband network services,” said Mr Crockett.

For customers living more than a kilometre from their nearest roadside
cabinet or exchange, or for those who choose not to upgrade to this
premium product, VDSL2 line cards also operate in ADSL2+ mode.

“Our ADSL2+ capability is already helping New Zealanders to enjoy a much
better broadband experience. Peak connect speeds have leaped well ahead
of where they were even a year ago, and soon VDSL2 will offer peak speeds
of up to 50Mbps downstream,” said Dr Reynolds.

From March 2009, VDSL2 line cards will be progressively installed into all
roadside cabinets and local telephone exchanges in towns and cities with
more than 500 lines. In the second quarter of 2009, Telecom Wholesale
will offer service providers a new, dedicated VDSL2 broadband product
initially available in key Auckland exchange areas, with roll out to all
major cities and towns in the third quarter of the year.

Service providers can then offer VDSL2 broadband plans to their retail
customers based on their needs, and their proximity to the nearest
telephone exchange or roadside cabinet.

Telecom Wholesale intends to consult with service providers on the more
detailed aspects of the VDSL2 roll out. This will include developing
further VDSL2 based broadband services and improved online tools to
support service providers when deciding whether VDSL2 is suitable for
their end customer.

About Telecom Wholesale
Telecom Wholesale is an operationally separate business unit within
Telecom that wholesales network connectivity products to internet and
telephone service providers throughout New Zealand. Telecom Wholesale’s
broadband, business data, voice and interconnect products give providers
the foundation on which to build their own network or telecommunications
services for their customers. For more information on Telecom Wholesale
visit www.telecomwholesale.co.nz.

VDLS2 capability roll-out areas in 2009

Q2 2009
Browns Bay
Ponsonby
Glenfield
Remuera
Mt Eden
Auckland Central

Q3 2009 onwards
Ashburton
Auckland
Beachlands
Blenheim
Brighton
Cambridge
Christchurch
Diamond Harbour
Dunedin
Fielding
Gisborne
Gore
Governors Bay
Greymouth
Hamilton
Hastings
Hawera
Hibiscus Coast
Invercargill
Kaiapoi
Kumeu
Levin
Lincoln
Lyttelton
Masterton
Napier
Nelson
New Plymouth
Oamaru
Paekakariki
Palmerston North
Paraparaumu
Prebbleton
Pukekohe
Pukerua Bay
Queenstown
Rangiora
Raumati
Red Beach
Richmond
Rotorua
Runciman
Taupo
Tauranga
Te Awamutu
Templeton
Timaru
Titirangi
Tokoroa
Waiheke
Waikanae
Wanganui
Wellington
Whakatane
Whangarei