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New Zealand shortlists 14 for broadband
10 September 2010
The New Zealand government has picked the 14 companies to negotiate provision of its ultra-fast broadband network
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New Zealand
Telecom NZ
Crown Fibre Holdings
fibre to the home
New Zealand has shortlisted 14 companies to participate in its $2.17 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative. The government’s Crown Fibre Holdings, which is managing the state’s $1.08 billion contribution to the ultra-fast broadband network, selected the 14 firms from 33 proposals.
Alpine Energy, the Central North Island Fibre Consortium and Northpower were given priority status by Crown Fibre as they had the best proposals.
Canada’s Axia NetMedia did not make it to the shortlist. Telecom New Zealand was among those shortlisted but has not been selected for negotiation. As Telecom NZ’s CEO, Paul Reynolds, told Global Telecoms Business this month, the company will need to split into two — retail and infrastructure as legally separate entities — before it is eligible for a role.
A final decision on which private sector companies will be named local fibre companies will be made by next month.
The New Zealand Regional Fibre Group comprises 19 New Zealand companies, including Vector, Alpine Energy, the Central North Island Fibre Consortium and Northpower. Consortium members also tendered individual bids. GTB