From record profit to Deloitte top 10
Enable Networks has charged into the top 10 of the prestigious Deloitte Fast 50 for 2010.
The community owned Christchurch fibre network operator – a first time entrant in the index - has landed in ninth place
with staggering revenue growth of 566% over the last three years.
And the Deloitte Fast 50 entry has also seen Enable awarded Fastest Growing Technology Company in the South Island
region.
The accolades come just weeks after CEO Steve Fuller was judged the TUANZ ICT Innovator of the Year (for his work
connecting local schools to fibre) and only days after the company revealed an after tax profit growth of 235%.
True to its name, Enable is providing the technology platform that is allowing innovative new businesses to evolve in
and around Christchurch.
As the company has extended its fibre network past the doors of 75% of Christchurch businesses, numerous data centres
have been established in the city, while start up ventures like Virtual Bridge are basing their business models on the
availability of affordable, fast bandwidth - something not possible on a copper network.
Since its launch in 2007, hundreds of leading businesses have also taken advantage of Enable’s ‘fibre to the premises’
network. The likes of Christchurch Radiology Group, Ravensdown and House of Travel are now tapping into ultra-fast
network speeds ranging from a somewhat leisurely 10Mbit/s to a super quick 10Gbit/s. Some with exceedingly high data
transfer needs are choosing to be free of any constraints by operating with no data caps or bandwidth constraints.
After setting out with a goal of transforming Christchurch’s telecommunications industry to enhance business,
educational and community growth, Mr Fuller says it is pleasing to see the vision coming to fruition so quickly.
“Our business growth has exceeded shareholder expectations year on year by delivering products and pricing that disrupt
traditional thinking, and delivering outstanding service. You just can’t underestimate the value of a fibre network – it
is the future of our communications landscape,” says Mr Fuller.
“We have had exceptional support from Christchurch businesses and our various channel partners who deliver services over
our network.
“That’s the beauty of a modern open access fibre network. ISPs, IT Integrators and other service providers in the
technology sector can utilise fibre to deliver services to customers so that the end users are experiencing much greater
innovation and IT performance, often at a reduced cost. It is win/win for all involved.”
Mr Fuller says Enable is now focussed on having fibre at the doorsteps of 85% of local businesses by mid 2011. Even
greater coverage is achievable in 2011 if the company is successful in its bid for a slice of the Government’s $1.35
billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Along with the other members of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group – a nationwide collective of electricity lines and
fibre companies – Enable is on the Government’s shortlist of potential fibre network build partners.
“In the meantime, we will enjoy the success of making the top 10 of the Deloitte Fast 50. It is testimony to the hard
work of our team and our contractors, and also great reward for the Christchurch City Council which had the vision to
invest in fibre when very few people were contemplating a fibre world.
“There is no doubt, fibre is the electricity of the digital age and it will be a major contributor to the economic and
social health of New Zealand in the 21st century. Our future generations will thank us for investing in this
infrastructure now,” says Mr Fuller.
Fellow NZRFG member, Hamilton fibre operator Velocity Networks, also features in the Fast 50 – coming in at 40th
position with revenue growth of 213.02%.
ENDS