Christchurch-based fibre optic company, Enable Networks, says it has submitted a comprehensive bid to the government to take its fibre optic network to all Christchurch homes.

Enable says it has already constructed “hundreds of kilometres of state-of-the-art fibre optic network” for Christchurch businesses.  “In just three years we have proven beyond any doubt that our company has the expertise and capability to transform telecommunications and IT in this city,” says Steve Fuller, CEO, Enable Networks. “We have already achieved many of the initial objectives of the proposed Government’s $1.5b Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) project by taking unconstrained, world class fibre to almost all business areas in the city. Hundreds of businesses and health organisations in Christchurch are already connected to our fibre and are benefiting from the performance and cost effectiveness. We have also taken the initiative to invest in affordable, ultra fast fibre for our schools.”  Enable says that its current work means Christchurch will have a network that meets the Crown’s initial six year objectives four years ahead of schedule, giving local the business community a significant head start on the rest of the country.  Fuller added, “The government’s UFB project will end the continuing investment in outdated copper based technology which has a limited life and is responsible for New Zealand’s poor performing broadband networks. UFB is expected to deliver economic benefits by allowing technology to remove distance from world markets, and enrich information and services to urban and rural homes. “There is a once in a life time opportunity here to make the steep change that this country deserves to lead the world in broadband capability. That steep change requires innovation, rapid deployment and fresh thinking, and that is what Enable and the other regional fibre companies offer the government.”