Chorus says there are fewer than 90,000 fibre connections left on its network before the Rugby World Cup 2019 kicks off on September 20.
The company's fibre installation tracker estimates the number of fibre installations across Chorus fibre areas until September 15, 2019.
According to UFB.org.nz, Chorus UFB areas cover Auckland, Rotorua, Whakatane, Gisborne, Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, Levin, Fielding, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Greymouth, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Mosgiel, Queenstown, and Invercargill.
Connection opportunities are snapped up at around one every three minutes according to the tracker, based on Chorus' average completion rate of 3400 fibre installations every week.
“With the majority of matches for this year's Rugby World Cup only available online, we're eager to see as many Kiwi families as possible connected to the best possible broadband,” comments Chorus chief customer officer Ed Hyde.
“We know demand is going to be high for fibre installations in the lead up to the tournament and we want to make sure New Zealand's most ardent supporters don't miss out."
Chorus expects that during the Rugby World Cup, online viewing will contribute to a ‘significant' spike in data use – especially for matches that won't be broadcast on free-to-air television. Chorus says it will be adding network capacity to prevent congestion.
Chorus is also working with broadband providers to help them prepare for the games.
"Simply put, fibre is the best, most-reliable and fastest broadband available. It handles online video traffic with ease and its dedicated capacity means it's made to cope with multiple devices, without any loss of quality or buffering – important for families where watching the game isn't the only online priority."
Chorus offers five steps for a wonderful Rugby World Cup online experience:
- Check to see if fibre is available at your place today using the address checker at chorus.co.nz
- Get in touch with your broadband provider, ask to connect to fibre or be put on the wait list if fibre is not yet available
- Select a broadband plan with 100Mbps or more download speed and unlimited data -- plenty of capacity and no worries about data caps
- Get fibre installed to your place
- Optimise your home for broadband. Make sure Wi-Fi is performing as it should and connect your TV with an Ethernet cable to your router.
Chorus also announced today that it has achieve Rainbow Tick certification, which means it is now certified a safe and welcoming place for all employees, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Chorus has previously demonstrated its commitment to the Rainbow Community through supporting the inaugural New Zealand LGBTI Awards last year, raising money and awareness on World AIDS Day, sponsoring the television series ‘House of Drag', championing Pride through its nationwide cabinet art programme and participating in the Wellington Pride Parade taking place tomorrow.