Chorus and Huawei have signed a deal to help extend the reach of broadband into rural New Zealand.

The new supply arrangement allows Chorus to use Huawei’s coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) equipment, a technology that increases the data capacity of existing rural fibre optic cables to connect remote schools, roadside cabinets and cellular sites.

Chorus General Manager of Network Build Chris Dyhrberg said the supply agreement will help Chorus deliver its Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) commitments.

“Huawei’s CWDM will help us reliably increase the capacity on our existing network, without the need to deploy additional fibre cables. Proven technologies such as these will help the Crown’s RBI investment go further, extending the reach of world-class broadband beyond the agreed targets,” said Dyhrberg.

Huawei CEO, Arthur Zhang, believes it is a significant move:

“It represents another huge step forward for Huawei in New Zealand. We are committed to helping provide the entire country with access to better internet connectivity, and working with leading operators like Chorus helps us to achieve this.”

The Huawei solution is based on the OptiX OSN 1800 compact Multi-Service edge optical transport platform, which could be implemented in the following applications: RBI backhaul, UCLL back haul, Regional back haul, Sub-loop UCLL back haul and access back haul.