The winner of the government’s Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) contract for Whangarei, Northpower Fibre, has confirmed Darren Mason as its CEO, following as six-month stint as acting chief executive.
Jo Brosnahan, chair of Northpower Fibre, says Mason brings solid local experience to the role, having played a part in the company’s network build and expansion since 2007.
"This is a significant project for Whangarei and also a big opportunity for Northland to lead from the front as the first region in New Zealand to embrace the opportunities that ultra-fast broadband brings,” Brosnahan says.
Northpower Fibre began operating a fibre network in the Whagarei CBD four years ago, and won the UFB contract for the city late last year, following lengthy negotiations.
The government-backed build was begun in April, and technicians have constructed nearly 30km of aerial fibre and 25km of underground ducting in the area.
"Our construction teams have taken fibre past over 2000 premises already,” Mason says, "and we have covered dozens of streets.
A further 16,000 premises will be covered over the next three years.
"We are looking forward to business and residential owners taking advantage and connecting.”
