High-Speed Broadband Access - Overview

Aerial view of Wellington city

Expanding access to affordable high-speed broadband is important for Wellington city's companies, schools and hospitals. Expanding access will encourage further innovation and attract technically creative individuals and organisations to Wellington.

Background

Wellington City Council is a key member of the regional Broadband Operating Group, a group that represents the Wellington region's nine councils. The Broadband Operating Group reports to the Wellington Regional Strategy Committee, which in turn oversees a strategy for economic and urban development in the Wellington region.

The Wellington Regional Strategy identified broadband as key to economic growth and one of seven priorities for the Wellington region.

The Wellington region's councils support the Government's plans for the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband in urban areas and the improvement of access in rural areas. A work programme is underway to prepare the region for the roll-out of broadband fibre over the next 6 - 10 years.

Current Work

Cuba Mall

The Broadband Operating Group has five current workstreams to help facilitate the broadband infrastructure in the Wellington region and support the Government's plans.

Region-wide Rules for New Trenching Methods

Wellington City Council is leading this workstream. We are exploring ways in which fibre technologies can be installed more quickly, for example, by shallow trenching, micro-trenching or direct drilling. We are also looking into how these trenching methods might be used when installing other utilities and how they could be incorporated into road and resurfacing work programmes.

Back to Top of Page.

Region-wide Rules for Aerial Installation

Wellington City Council is leading this workstream. We are investigating whether District Plan changes should be recommended to support the roll-out of overhead fibre technologies. Council planners have taken a stocktake of council rules on aerial deployment.

Road Works for Utilities

The Broadband Operating Group is looking at the road works process for all of the utilities and whether a better system could be created and shared across the Wellington region. Planning is also in progress for the volume of road works needed for the Government's Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative in urban areas across the region.

Regionally-agreed Policy for Access to Local Government Assets

The Broadband Operating Group recognises that local fibre companies will need to access Council assets (such as buildings, light poles and water tanks) to help with the roll-out of broadband fibre. The group is looking at the current rules for access charges to these assets and whether region-wide rules across Wellington could be adopted. This would streamline the sometimes lengthy processes that utility providers and telecommunications companies face when dealing with projects that cross through multiple council boundaries.

Supporting the Rural Broadband Initiative

Working with councils and communities in the rural parts of the region.

More Information

Helen Giller
Project Manager

Phone:	(04) 803 8532
Email:	broadband