50 | Primo network making a difference T T Karen Phelps PrimoWireless now has around 110 transmission sites throughout Taranaki. “When I first started Primo my dream was to connect Taranaki’s remotest corners and we are enjoying working with CIP to deliver faster broadband to those communities.” PrimoWireless REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PrimoWireless Ltd (Primo) is 60% through its Rural Broadband Initiative Phase 2 (RB12) contract, which will see it build over 80 new Access Points (towers) throughout Taranaki. Around 70% coverage has been achieved already and Primo is now “filling in the coverage gaps”, says Primo operations manager Jason Holton. Typically one tower is completed at a time before the company moves onto the next one. The process involves leasing land from locals and Jason says invariably the reception has been positive to the proposal as people want faster internet connection. He says that the project has been incredibly significant for the region: “Before this we heard from people that they had to drive for an hour to their local library to do online banking and check their emails. “Now people can run their businesses more efficiently and kids can do their homework easier. The connection they get is faster and cheaper than ever before. “Primo’s broadband services provide fast reliable connectivity and supports Taranaki’s regional economic growth, across both rural and urban sectors. Taranaki businesses are now able to compete on a global stage in the digital age.” The RBI2 programme is run by Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP), which assessed that 90,000 rural households and businesses couldn’t access broadband speeds of at least 20 Mbps download. The RBI2 programme seeks to provide fast broadband to the greatest number of under-served rural homes and businesses within the funding available. The larger contract will see enhanced broadband provided for approximately 84,000 households and businesses. The project started in 2018 and is due for completion by 2023 and has seen CIP partner with the Rural Connectivity Group (a joint venture between Spark, Vodafone and 2 degrees) and nine regional Wireless Internet Service Providers including Primo. Primo has been a real Kiwi success story. The company had its beginnings when founder Matthew Harrison and a mate set up their own connection in Inglewood so they could pursue they love of online gaming. Soon friends and family began requesting they set up faster connections for them too. Then word spread further and quickly they had a fledgling company that started in 2006. “When I first started Primo my dream was to connect Taranaki’s remotest corners and we are enjoying working with CIP to deliver faster broadband to those communities,” says Matthew. Primo now boasts just under 4000 customers and around 110 transmission sites. The company services both urban and rural areas and offers a choice of fibre (in areas where this is available), copper or WISP wireless connectivity. From Mt Taranaki Primo extends from the west coast to Mokau in the north, Whangamomona in the north east and near Patea in the south. Primo offers rural customers a range of plans including free off peak data and an unlimited plan. It also provides fibre business customers with wireless backup service to ensure the business can keep functioning in the event of an outage. “Customers can stay connected via phone and internet throughout outages and remain open for business. Customers can also set up a remote site quickly or keep remote sites open during outages. It gives real peace of mind for the business owner, employees and customers,” says Jason. He says the company’s customer base is growing rapidly and over the past five years staff numbers have tripled to over 20. “We listen to our customers’ needs and adapt. We can basically tailor a solution to fit their needs, if anyone wants a dedicated wireless link for example. “We are proudly local – both owners and staff. We know the area well, which makes a big difference in this business,” says Jason. Primo was named New Zealand’s Best Rural Broadband Provider (Broadband Compare TUANZ Awards 2018), an indication of the great local knowledge of its communities and providing a high-class service to many rural households who would otherwise be without broadband coverage, says Jason. The company also works to assist the community and is a huge supporter of over 90 local non-profits and charities in the region, giving free internet and services. It also works to provide free wifi hotspots in certain areas. Primo is currently working with CIP on another project, assisting local marae to get connected. The project is already underway and Jason says that whanau are seeing the benefit. Proud to support the team at Primo Wireless with Generator Sales and Service. One-Stop-Shop for high quality compressed air & power generation solutions www.power-air.co.nz 0800 002 056
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