Christchurch fibre broadband provider, Enable now has more than 88,000 customers connected – an increase of over 25,000 customers in 2018 already. This is just one highlight in a year where Enable has also completed its fibre broadband roll-out to 200,000 homes, businesses and schools across greater Christchurch and continued to deliver value to its community by doubling the speed of its 100Mbps wholesale service to 200Mbps at no extra cost.

“2018 is already a record year for Enable in terms of customers taking up fibre broadband services across the greater Christchurch community,” says Enable Chief Executive, Steve Fuller. “We’ve surpassed our connection numbers in 2017 – and we still have a month to go.”

The business is planning for a busy December connecting every customer that it can in time for Christmas – and is targeting to finish the year with 90,000 customers connected.

“Internet usage across New Zealand continues to grow at a huge rate and Christmas is a great time to test and try new services at home,” says Mr Fuller.

“There are a range of good reasons to be on the best broadband connectivity option – which is fibre. Some examples are the proliferation of online entertainment services like Netflix, Lightbox and Neon; connecting with family through video calling; enjoying the very best gaming experience; and the growth in the smart home products and services market.”

Next year will see internet usage in the home take another leap forward with more sports, including the Rugby World Cup, moving primarily to online streaming.

“We all need to order and connect to fibre broadband as quickly as possible – so we are ready for all the online streaming of sports that is coming. I would hate to hear stories of families missing out on a great online sports entertainment experience, simply because they had not made the switch to fibre,” says Mr Fuller.

“Our mantra is to ensure the bandwidth customers enjoy over our network is always ahead of their needs and expectations – so we never get in the way of our customers enjoying the very best online experience.”

During 2018, Enable delivered two significant product innovations. In March Enable reduced the price of the maximum speed wholesale residential broadband service (capable of delivering close to a Gigabit (1,000Mbps) download speeds) and currently provides it to internet service providers at $50 per month. Enable went on to take a bigger step by doubling the speed of its 100Mbps residential wholesale service at no extra cost to internet service providers so many residential customers can enjoy 200Mbps download speeds – with this offer available from 1 July 2018.

“Some retailers are now offering a maximum speed broadband service for under $100 and over 5,000 customers on our network are taking advantage of this. The price of a comparable service was much higher a couple of years ago,” said Mr Fuller.

“We fundamentally believe 200Mbps should be the baseline fibre broadband service for families wanting to enjoy a great online experience and we are excited that over 20,000 customers are now enjoying our speed upgrade offer as internet service provides upgrade their customers.”

Another good reason for customers to order fibre broadband now is because Enable does not currently charge for residential fibre broadband installations.

“We have been offering free installation on all residential fibre broadband connections since 2013 – so for the last six years. Our current free residential connection offer comes to an end across most of our coverage area at the end of 2019*,” said Mr Fuller.

During the year, Enable completed its original UFB network build programme and subsequent expansions 18 months ahead of schedule – meaning its fibre broadband services are available to 200,000 properties across Christchurch, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Rolleston, Lincoln, Templeton, Prebbleton, Kennedys Bush, Ohoka, Tuahiwi, Clearwater and Tai Tapu.

*More information on Enable’s free installation offer (including a map of the areas covered) is available here: https://www.enable.net.nz/t-and-c/free-residential-installs/