According to a report in the Dominion Post yesterday, Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Infrastructure, which owns lines company Wellington Electricity, will consider building a fibre access network in the city.

Auckland’s Vector has previously clearly signalled its interest in becoming involved in the Government’s planned $1.5 billion investment in ultrafast broadband. It already has an extensive network in Auckland and has some coverage in the Wellington CBD.

Cheung Kong bought Wellington Electricity from Vector last year for $785 million. According to The DomPost, a Wellington Electricity spokesperson said the company is studying the Government's fibre plan but declined to comment further.

The article also contains updates from existing fibre players in the capital with CityLink saying it is too early to say how it might be involved in the Government roll-out and FX Networks indicating it is likely to get involved in a proposal.

As a potential LFC partner, Wellington Electricity’s parent firm, Cheung Kong Infrastructure appears to have a credible background – it is a global infrastructure owner and operator. Also, the chairman of its holding company, Li Ka-shing, is also chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, which has telco holdings through 3 and Hutchison Telecom.

Meanwhile in Northland, Northpower is another potential LFC contender – it has already deployed a fibre network which includes fibre running along its overhead power corridor throughout the Whangarei CBD.

With so much interest from a range of LFC candidates, and so much fibre already in the ground – or in the air as is the case in Northland, we look forward to seeing some early and rapid roll-outs under the Government’s plan.

The faster we can roll-out ultra-fast broadband to as many New Zealanders as possible, the sooner we will reap the rewards.