Canterbury ready for slice of $1.5b pie

Canterbury fibre-optic cable network companies are lining up for a slice of the Government's proposed $1.5 billion investment in high-speed broadband access.

Christchurch City Networks (CCNL), set up in June 2007 to install high-speed fibre-optic cables throughout the city, confirmed it would bid for a share of the funding.

The Christchurch City Council-owned company had completed its first stage of more than 100 kilometres of cable, including 20km in the central business district, chief executive Steve Fuller said.

CCNL put in a "substantial" bid for the former Labour Government's broadband investment funding, he said.

"That was going to give huge coverage around businesses, education and health entities within the Christchurch community. It really gave us the ability to accelerate our plans."

Communications Minister Steven Joyce was tipped last week to unveil the next steps in the 10-year plan to roll out ultra-fast broadband to most New Zealanders, but no announcement was made.

Industry views on the total cash injection needed varied, with suggestions up to $7b was required. The Government expected its investment to be matched by the private sector.

Mid-Canterbury co-operative Electricity Ashburton, which began laying fibre-optic cable for its region in November, was waiting to see "what was up for grabs".

Network manager Brendon Quinn said a funding boost would fast-track its roll-out plans. "Instead of taking maybe 10 years to cover the whole area, we might be able to do it in two to three years," he said.