South Island Projects
The Chorus Haast to Hawea and Te Anau to Milford fibre UFB WSNB project is a significant telecommunications infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity in some of New Zealand's most remote regions. This project is part of the larger Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative backed by the New Zealand government.
The project involves two main sections:
Hawea to Haast: This part of the project covers a 122km build and fibre haul from Hawea to Haast. Completed in March 2022, it required overcoming significant geographical challenges, including steep slopes, dense forests, and the need to install ducting and cabling along narrow roads and highways.
Te Anau to Milford: This section involves a 118km build and fibre haul from Te Anau to Milford Sound, completed in May 2023. The construction in this area was particularly challenging due to the harsh weather conditions, high rainfall, and avalanche risks. The route includes more than 150 bridges, culverts, and tunnels, making it one of the most challenging fibre installations in New Zealand.
Telcospec played a pivotal role in these projects including installation of steel pipe to bridge structures, installation of fibre cables and performing all fibre splicing for both sections. Additionally, Telcospec was responsible for testing and commissioning these fibre links. This involved the use of the EXFO Intelligent Optical Link Mapper (iOLM) technology. Typically used in metro networks, this project marked the first time iOLM was applied in core infrastructure and long-haul networks. Telcospec partnered with Chorus and EXFO to develop and implement this advanced testing technology.
These fibre links are designed to connect communities along the rugged coastline between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, providing high-speed internet to areas that previously had limited connectivity.
Overall, the project is a critical part of New Zealand's effort to extend ultra-fast broadband to its more isolated and rural areas, ensuring that nearly 87% of the population now has access to high-speed internet.
