Northpower Fibre has achieved another milestone on the Whangarei ultra-fast broadband network – connecting its 10,000th customer.

By end of first quarter 2018, the company is forecasting to have connected almost 50% of all possible premises on the network, giving Whangarei one of the highest uptake rates in NZ.

Just seven years after the company was formed, Northpower Fibre CEO Darren Mason says the progress is very satisfying.

“We are building an intergenerational asset that will enable Northland to prosper. Fibre broadband is the highway of the future and the logical replacement for copper broadband,” says Mr Mason. 

“Our crews are doing a great job connecting and expanding the Northpower Fibre network and we are looking forward to another successful year in 2018. UFB continues to be a game changer for so many people in our community and that was always our aim. There are over 20 companies offering broadband packages on the Northpower Fibre network and that competition means customers have plenty of choices.”

Mr Mason recently attended the Calix Innovation Awards at which Northpower Fibre received the Innovation in Next Generation Services – its second international innovation award in four years.

Northpower CEO Andrew McLeod says Northpower is looking forward to bringing ultra-fast broadband to more Kaipara and Whangarei townships.

“We are already connecting customers on the Hikurangi UFB network and connections will begin at Waipu from January 20,” says Mr McLeod.

The One Tree Point UFB network is well underway with the first connections available in July 2018.

A $2.5 million investment constructing stage one of the Dargaville UFB network (in and around the CBD) is progressing well and will take ultra-fast fibre to 1052 customers over the next year with locals able to connect in September 2018.

A total of 3172 customers will be able to connect to one of the best fibre broadband networks at Hikurangi, Dargaville West, Waipu and One Tree Point UFB by the end of 2018.

When completed the Northpower Fibre UFB2 programme will deliver UFB fibre to more than 9000 premises in Whangarei and Kaipara Districts (5561 in Kaipara alone).

Northpower expects to invest over $30 million in the UFB2 expansion of the Northpower Fibre network.

“UFB will be a significant boost to the township and we will be working hard to bring the network to life as quickly as possible. The expansion of our fibre network is part of our business strategy to support growth in Northland via investment in our electricity and fibre networks in Kaipara and Whangarei,” says Mr McLeod.