New Zealand - New Zealand signs deals for ultra-fast broadband initiative.

Telecom New Zealand has missed out in the first round of contracts under the New Zealand Government's ultra-fast broadband initiative (UFB), as the first two contracts went to North Island power companies, reports ZDNet. Northpower won the bid to roll out broadband in the Northland city of Whangarei, with work due to start within two weeks. UltraFast Fibre, a division of Waikato-based WEL Energy, will next year roll out broadband in the cities of Hamilton, Wanganui and Tauranga, with the smaller towns of New Plymouth, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Hawera and Tokoroa to follow. The two joint ventures, with …