PHOTO/ADOBE.STOCK.COM
ELI HILL
[email protected]
The rapid growth of broadband data use in Wairarapa shows no sign of slowing, and with the Rugby World Cup a fortnight away, it is expected to soar even further as households stream their favourite sport
The average Wairarapa home used 218 gigabytes of data in July 2019 on the Chorus network compared with 157GB a year earlier showing a 39 per cent increase.
Nationally, the average New Zealand home used about 277GB of broadband data in July.
The Rugby World Cup gets under way on September 20 when Japan will raise the curtain on the tournament against debutants Russia.
On August 1, the Chorus network experienced its largest data surge coinciding with the latest update to the online video game, Fortnite.
Data peaked at 2.18 terabytes per second which is equivalent to 60,000 additional Netflix streams.
The fact Chorus’ network can comfortably handle a data surge such as the one generated by Fortnite is testament to the network’s resilience and capacity, the company’s network strategy manager, Kurt Rodgers, said.
Resilience and capacity are important factors as Kiwis prepare to stream the Rugby World Cup.
“Confidence that your internet will be up and stay up is really important for New Zealanders who are looking forward to streaming Rugby World Cup,” Rodgers said.
“That’s why we have made sure our network is ready and has the capacity and resilience to be there during the games.”
Chorus is encouraging consumers to ensure they’re on the best broadband available to them in advance of the games.
Chorus’ fibre installation tracker shows fewer than 9000 households can be connected from now to when the tournament kicks off on the 20th of this month.
“The great thing about fibre is it means that rugby fans can watch the games while others in the house can stream TV, video chat, do their online shopping or banking with nobody in the household slowing down,” Rodgers said.
While fibre is the superior form of broadband technology, for areas where it’s not yet available, VDSL on the Chorus copper network provides a fast and reliable service for consumers to stream the games.
“If VDSL is available at your address, we may be able to upgrade you without a technician visiting your place,” Rodgers said. “VDSL is a great alternative where fibre isn’t an option now or in the future.”
Chorus’ other tips for a great streaming experience include plugging the modem directly into the TV, and ensuring households are on unlimited data plans in order to avoid exceeding data caps during the games.
People can find out what broadband speed their households are getting and how to upgrade at www.chorus.co.nz where they can enter their address into the broadband checker.
