Broadening horizons

A 13,6-kilometre sub-sea fibre-optic cable linking New Zealand, Australia and the US will be ready for service in 213. The US$4 million Pacific Fibre cable will be laid jointly by Pacific Fibre and Asian telecommunication services provider Pacnet. Pacnet chief executive Bill Barney said the investment was an important part of his company’s strategy to expand its undersea cable facilities into Australasia. “As Australia and New Zealand look towards deploying national broadband networks that will raise broadband penetration and access speeds, this new cable that we are building with Pacific Fibre will deliver the enhanced international connectivity that is essential to support these broadband initiatives,” Barney said.