Quicker to connect with US Cable

 

The pristine shoreline of our local area has been selected as a connection site set to bring America a lot closer to New Zealand shores.

American bandwidth supplier, Hawaiki Submarine Cable (HSC), will be forming the fastest and largest link between the US, New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Islands.

The specially designed fibre optic cable will wind through the depths of the Pacific Ocean from Oregon to Bream Bay in an effort to help improve internet connections between the countries.

On June 15, Hawaiki’s route survey team visited Bream Tail Farm to assess the landscape required for the cable installation.

Resource management consultant for HSC, Glenn Mortimer, says the initial survey will take place in November with the actual laying of the cable occurring late 2017.

HSC is a new bandwidth supplier to the Pacific submarine cable market, aiming to simultaneously increase the availability of international broadband while lowering the cost to consumers.

The company states the introduction of the specifically-designed cable will bring more competitiveness to the New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Island markets and stimulate economic growth by reducing the ‘double tyranny of distance and over-priced international bandwidth’.

The introduction of the submarine cable coincides with the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband fibre extension initiative (UFB2) which aims to bring quicker and more reliable internet service to New Zealand regions.

Last year Communications Minister Amy Adams invited infrastructure suppliers to present proposals to deliver ultra-fast broadband to more than 110 communities in New Zealand with Kaipara towns, Mangawhai Heads, Maungaturoto and Dargaville included on the list.

Kaipara District Council Chair of Commissioners John Robertson says the efficiency of rural businesses, emergency services and council operations are being held back by the lack of inconsistent internet access.

“Faster, more reliable connectivity is the single most important thing we can do for regional economic development.”