FAQs
Q. What is thelink?
thelink is the largest independent regional open access fibre network in NZ. It services communities in the Top of the South.
Q. Who is behind thelink?
thelink was commissioned by Network Tasman Limited, a trust owned electricity lines company based in Richmond.>read more
Q. Why was thelink started?
Network Tasman Limited (NTL) first investigated the concept of a regional fibre network in 2000 while exploring strategic opportunities for the company. NTL envisioned building a network that would benefit the company, the local community and the region’s schools while generating income for NTL through the lease of fibre to businesses.
Q. What is an open access fibre network?
An open access fibre network is one in which fibre cables are leased to any potential user on equal terms enabling competition for internet and telephone services. Users of our network currently include telecommunications companies, ISPs, IT companies, individual companies and community organisations.
Q. What services does thelink provide?
We can connect larger sites within the Top of the South area to provide a business or organization with their own local high speed network. This is feasible for large users who have the technical knowledge to “light up” the fibres.
We also provide a Layer 2 Ethernet service (lit fibre) simplifying connection and allowing customers to choose their own bandwidth.
We also lease fibre to telecommunication and ISP/IT companies who offer their services to end users over our fibre network.
We can also provide access to the national high speed research network, KAREN and the National Education Network, NEN.
Q. What is a dark fibre network?
Dark fibre refers to unlit fibre - cable without electronics connected to it. The customer lights up the fibre giving them control over the speed of the network.
Q. What is Layer 2 Ethernet?
Simply put it is Dark fibre with the electronics connected to it. We light up the fibre to the customers requirements and take care of the hassle. We offer various sized connections to match your requirements and budget.
Q. What are the advantages of using thelink?
thelink is capable of delivering almost unlimited bandwidth and enables local users to access broadband at speeds many more times faster than those offered by traditional copper networks.
thelink enables competition for internet and telephone services in the region at competitive prices.
Q. What exactly is broadband?
Broadband is a digital connection to the internet at 100 Megabits per second or higher; however the term Broadband is routinely used to describe a connection to the internet at 2 to 10 Megabits per second.
No. Traditional telecommunication services operate over the copper telephone network. Though the use of our fibre thelink can offer speeds a thousand times faster than other networks.Q. Can’t we already get high-speed broadband?
Q. Who can purchase thelink services?
Anyone can purchase our services but they are best suited to;
Telecommunications companies
Local ISP/IT companies
Local organizations such as Regional Councils, the DHB and NMIT and larger local businesses that are able to provide their own equipment to light up the fibre they lease.
The service is not geared for residential use but home internet users may be connected via their ISP.
Q. Will thelink deliver broadband to the home?
We are working with developers on residential subdivisions to create the region's first fibre to the home developments. A number of Service Providers have indicated interest in offering triple play services to these homes and we hope the first homes will be built in 2010.
This is exciting for our region as no other infrastructure operator is offering fibre from the exchange to the home and it is exciting for NZ as currently no national player is offering an effective triple play solution over fibre.
We are also working with developers to provide fibre to the door in new industrial and commercial subdivisions. A development that is currently underway in Nelson will be the first commercial subdivision in the Top of the South to be exclusively supplied by fibre.
We would be happy to hear from other developers.
Q. What is The LOOP?
The LOOP is a high speed broadband network that utilizes thelink fibre optic network to deliver Internet services and educational resources to schools in the Top of the South. It allows schools to share resources, and instantaneously interact and collaborate on projects, and enables teachers to more easily adapt to the needs and interests of individual students. >read more
