Manurewa gets faster broadband

The first of 76 fast Telecom broadband cabinets for Manurewa is being switched on in Weymouth this week.

Network access business Chorus says each new roadside cabinet can service up to 300 nearby customers.

Programme manager Ed Beattie says each Whisper cabinet is the equivalent of a mini telephone exchange.

"The whole reason we’re bringing it closer to people is because the closer you are to the equipment the faster your broadband speed is."

Customers within 2km of a new cabinet should be able to connect at faster broadband speeds. Those near the local telephone exchange will continue to get their broadband service from there.

"These cabinets contain sophisticated electronic equipment, so a lot of work has gone into making them much quieter and more power efficient than anything before them," Mr Beattie says.

Chorus plans to complete upgrading the 76 cabinets and adding an extra 55km to its fibre optic cable network in Manurewa.

The company has also started installing micro-ducts for 1100 homes in Browns Rd to to enable easy upgrading to fibre optic cable in future.

The $1 million trial is the first time Chorus has installed micro-ducting in its network.

- © Fairfax NZ News