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
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: Suggested Citation