Two workers on-site completing wireless builds in high-vis attire

We were delighted to be on hand in Auckland last month for the official completion of phase one of New Zealand's Ultra-Fast Broadband project.

After 10 years, 450,000 premises and enough new ducting to reach from one end of New Zealand to the other, our team has completed their final connection on phase one of the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) project in New Zealand.

Last month, a small group of our people joined New Zealand Minister for Communications, Kris Fa'afoi, CEO of Crown Infrastructure Partners Graham Mitchell and Chorus CEO JB Rouselot to mark the occasion with a ceremonial final connection in the Auckland suburb of Blockhouse Bay.

Our work on the project started with planning way back in 2009, with building commencing in 2011.

Visionstream General Manager New Zealand Jim Tocher said that he was humbled to attend the event and represent the many Visionstream people who have contributed to the project over its course.

"This project is an important chapter in Visionstream's story in New Zealand and I'm incredibly proud of the work that our team and our subcontracting partners have done in the cities and towns across the country, assisting Chorus as they deploy broadband to the people of New Zealand," he said.

"Across the length of the project our people have worked closely with Chorus, and this has been significant in ensuring safe delivery and a quality service for end-users in New Zealand.

The relationship doesn't stop here though — we continue to work together, connecting people across regional New Zealand to ultra-fast broadband as part of the UFB2 project.

As a result of the UFB1 build, 79% of New Zealanders now have access to high quality broadband, and this makes New Zealand the most UFB available country in the OECD.

Visionstream and UFB1 at a glance

  • 607km of trenching
  • 1900km of new ducting - that's the equivalent of one end of NZ to the other
  • 2000km of aerial fibre strung
  • 2,500 cabinet areas completed
  • 4000km of fibre blown in
  • 40,000 fibre joints connected
  • 450,000 premises made ready for connection