February 1, 2017 1:00pm by David Farrar

UFB extended to a further 151 towns

Ultrafast broadband is coming to more than another 200,000 homes, but doubts are already being expressed that the expansion of the network isn’t quite ambitious enough.

Another 423,000 people will be able get ultrafast broadband (UFB) by the end of 2024 as a result of a long-awaited decision to expand the network.

Prime Minister Bill English said UFB would be extended to more than 151 additional towns, on top of the 33 cities that are already getting the service.

Maps of the towns that will now get fibre are here: North Island South Island

The expansion will mean UFB will be available to “up to 85 per cent” of the population, up from the 75 per cent coverage that is planned to be delivered by 2020.

Good to see. Fibre should be seen as core infrastructure along with roads, water, sewerage etc.