Drivers and Barriers to the Uptake of a FTTH Ultra-Fast Broadband in New Zealand

14 Pages Posted: 1 Apr 2013 Last revised: 14 Apr 2015

See all articles by Farhaan Mirza

Farhaan Mirza

University of Auckland

Fernando Beltrán

University of Auckland Business School

Date Written: March 29, 2013

Abstract

New Zealand (NZ) is currently implementing a high-speed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband project known as the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative. In this article we explore drivers and barriers of consumer adoption of UFB. We use a mixed methods approach for conducting empirical research, which includes interviewing broadband consumers, and analyzing secondary research insights from industry. Using grounded theory we postulate research frameworks for consumer adoption of UFB access (CAUA), and consumer adoption of UFB content (CAUC) to portray pertinent consumer drivers, barriers, and deciding factors for the UFB initiative. We find that consumer awareness and pricing are main factors that need to be addressed for a successful UFB rollout. This case study presents us with a timely unique opportunity to analyze the issues involved as the market evolves and stabilizes. This research has the advantage of gathering consumer resistance insights from an early phase of technological introduction.

Keywords: Ultra Fast Broadband Initiative, UFB, fiber-optic implementation, FTTH, consumer broadband adoption

JEL Classification: C63, L96, L98

Suggested Citation

Mirza, Farhaan and Beltrán, Fernando, Drivers and Barriers to the Uptake of a FTTH Ultra-Fast Broadband in New Zealand (March 29, 2013). TPRC 41: The 41st Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2241514 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2241514

Farhaan Mirza (Contact Author)

University of Auckland ( email )

Private Bag 92019
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland, 1142
New Zealand

Fernando Beltrán

University of Auckland Business School ( email )

12 Grafton Rd
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, 1010
New Zealand
+64 9 9237850 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/f-beltran

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