When is the best time to get fibre?

Unisonfibre is currently laying fibre throughout the industrial and commercial areas of Taupo to establish a high speed fibre optic network. As the network fibre is laid in your street, the time to connect to your building is when it passes the gate.
Why? Because at that time, the connection into your building will be FREE. 

Visit getfibre.co.nz for more information.

Things you may wish to know:
Q If I get fibre do I need to pay for it even if I'm not using it?
A Yes. The cost of a monthly connection will depend on the plan you choose. Just as you have to pay for the availability of your current copper line. There is an entry-level plan however.
Q How much faster is fibre?
A This is a complex question but be assured fibre is seriously faster than copper. The speed depends on a lot of factors. The computers you use, cabling in the building, data sizes, the plan that you sign up for and the websites you visit.
Q Is it more expensive than using copper?
A Yes, but only marginally more than you are currently spending. Again it depends on your data plan and the amount you use. What you will find is, that you will tend to do more because you can, and it will improve your productivity.
Q Can I cut off my copper connection?
A Yes you can. All your telecommunication can be conducted over fibre. Phones, faxing, internet, voip, skype, video conferencing and streaming video content.
Q Will my current phone system work over fibre?
A Yes. With the right equipment the fibre line will give you dial tone. You may want to take the opportunity to install a digital phone system giving you greater control over your phone network.
Q Can I use anyone to supply my internet connection?
A Yes you can. The fibre network is open source. However, Unison does have preferred supplier arrangements with local companies and you are encouraged to seek out their rates and service levels. Dealing locally does have advantages over off shore call centres. ITCO is a locally owned service provider that has a supplier agreement with Unisonfibre.
Q Why do I need to get fibre?
A There are many reasons and every business has different requirements. However you may wish to consider these reasons:

• Faster Internet speeds
• More reliable service
• Constant speed and no slowing down in high demand times
• The opportunity to start using the cloud for your network services
• Fast off site backup services over the internet
• Cheaper phone services, cheaper tolls, lower mobile calling rates and cheaper local call rates
• The ability to work from home or off site without restrictions
• Video conferencing
• Download speeds that allow for large data transfer eg: movies, large graphic files, high definition youtube video, online training in real time.
• Shifting all your server software to the cloud or hosted services thus allowing for a reduction in network and hardware costs.
• Using cloud based software, accounting, payroll, office, email web hosting, project management, in fact a multitude of software applications that currently live in the cloud.
• Working off site, for example from home. Using portable devices to access your business software. Smart phone and iPad.
• Viewing HD security video from an off site location.
• Increasing productivity through greater speed and less down time spent waiting for content.

Q Will fibre increase our productivity?
A Absolutely and will open up new products and services to help you increase your productivity. Speed alone will make a huge difference if you visit web pages and download data on a regular basis. However, it is the options around advanced software that will bring the greatest gains. To rent from the cloud can reduce costs considerably. Online training for your staff and frontline people can have positive outcomes on your business. Giving you greater flexibility in off site access can reduce down time and help manage staff in a way that is a win win for both parties.