Dark fibre access assured in New Zealand fibre bid

The New Zealand government may have hit the jackpot in its efforts to build an open access ultrafast broadband network, with the infrastructure companies bidding for the project offering access to unlit or dark fiber as well as planning a national network of lit fiber.

The government's stated preference is for open access to dark fibre (Later 1), which would allow users to light their own fibre and use it in any way they please. It would also reduce the cost of network services. The New Zealand Regional Fibre Group (NZRFG) and Vector are offering access to lit fibre (Layer 2) in their bids for a piece of the $1.5 billion ultrafast broadband network project. However, Neil Simmonds, the CEO of NZRFG member Counties Power, says while the group is working together to create a Layer 2 lit network, that is not exclusive. Other providers will be able to light fibre too.

(Feb 3)