Rangiora, Kaiapo now 'enabled'... joins fibre network

Rangiora and Kaiapoi, you're up!

The two North Canterbury towns are the latest to receive fibre, with Enable announcing it has launched its services to approximately 3300 homes, businesses and schools across the two towns.

The fibre offering is Enables first services for the Waimakariri District, and Enable CEO Steve Fuller says the company received a lot of interest and support from the likes of Enterprise North Canterbury, business owners, school principals and residents.

“We're looking forward to this interest translating in to local people quickly making the switch to fibre and enjoying the benefits,” Fuller says.

The new network includes the main areas of Rangiora and Kaiapoi and a number of other business areas, enabling about 900 businesses to connect. A number of schools, including both Rangiora and Kaiapoi High Schools are also able to access the fibre broadband services, along with almost 2500 homes.

Enable says there is considerable demand for fibre broadband services in the towns surrounding Christchurch.

Uptake in Rolleston and Lincoln – which got fibre almost a year ago – has been 'very high', Enable says, with 23% of homes and businesses in Rolleston now connected. Lincoln is fast approaching 20% uptake.

“It’s unheard of for a new technology to be embraced by communities at the rates Rolleston and Lincoln have. We urge the Rangiora and Kaiapoi communities to do the same,” added Mr Fuller.

The launch of the services comes as the government announces plans to invest further in the UFB rollout, with plans for it to be rolled out to 80% of the country, rather than the earlier planned 75%.