Northpower welcomes more NZRFG fibre progress

Tuesday 8 March, 2011

Northpower welcomes more NZRFG fibre progress

Northpower CEO Mark Gatland has welcomed the news another member of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group is a step closer to helping build a Government backed ultra-fast fibre network.

The Central Fibre Consortium has today been shortlisted for prioritised negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings over the ultra-fast broadband initiative.

Mr Gatland says it is pleasing to see more members of the NZRFG progressing with discussions over the UFB build given their expertise in owning and operating essential infrastructure.

Northpower won the contract to build Whangarei’s UFB network late last year and will begin construction in earnest next month.

Meantime, Mr Gatland says he wishes the Central Fibre Consortium well in its negotiations.

“The Central Fibre Consortium is comprised of some well established utility companies who are very good operators. I believe they could do this build well,” says Mr Gatland.

CFH recently announced it was preparing to hold prioritised negotiations with Vector over the proposed Auckland fibre network build. Other members of the NZRFG are also in the mix for building fibre networks around New Zealand and this could result in the NZRFG having a fibre footprint that covers more than 80% of New Zealand.

Northpower was a founding member of the NZRFG.

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