What is considered “ultra-fast” broadband?

UFB policy is to offer services of at least 100/50Mbps (100 Megabits per second Downstream, 50 Megabits per second Upstream). By way of comparison, the average speed measured by web services firm Akamai in Q1 2012 in New Zealand was 3.9Mbps.

UFB policy is to offer services of at least 100/50Mbps (100 Megabits per second Downstream, 50 Megabits per second Upstream). Why in that case are there 30/10Mbps plans

The 30/10 plan is an entry level wholesale product which provides higher bandwidth speeds (and a much better Committed Information Rate) than current ADSL2+ copper broadband products used by most New Zealanders. A 100/50 Mbps product is available to all UFB customers and will also be reasonably priced at wholesale.

What can UFB be used for?

A range of new applications and services may be enabled in the home as a result of UFB, including:

Video conferencing (home-to-home, home-to-school etc.)
IP TV and new advanced TV services such as 3D and High Definition services.
Home Wide Area Network, allowing multiple homes (for example across an extended family) to easily store, access and share large amounts of information such as video or photos.
Cloud computing applications for game-playing, office applications, online backup, file syncing and so forth.
Tele-health applications in the home.
Education applications in the home.
Remote working / working from home.

How will fibre connect from the street to my home?

The connection is to a device known as an ONT (Optical Network Termination device) which the LFC will install, own and maintain. The ONT is the point at which the fibre service connects to networks in your home (which may be copper, Ethernet, Wi-Fi etc.) The ONT will be located in a position of the householder’s choice, generally just inside the house. An additional fee may apply if the householder wishes to site the ONT in a difficult location or a long way from the street frontage. The ONT does require a power source, so locations such as a laundry, adjacent to a fuse box etc. can work well.

If existing utility services are aerial, there will be an aerial line run by the fibre operator to the house, and thence to the ONT via a small drilled hole.

If existing utility services are underground, UFB may be able to be deployed without digging if existing services are in ducts with spare capacity. If no ducts are available, a narrow trench line will be dug or drilled according to the requirements of the householder from the premise boundary to the ONT. The fibre deployment companies (LFCs and Chorus) are responsible for the process and for reinstating the garden / driveway to the satisfaction of the householder.

All the information above is provided by Crown Fiber Holding. Visit their website for more information.