Chorus wins government endorsement for $1.5 billion rural New Zealand fiber plan

New Zealand broadband wholesaler Chorus has won the backing of the infrastructure commission for its network upgrade plan—but it still faces a battle for funding. The commission designated Chorus' rural fiber scheme as one of 17 priority projects in its draft National Infrastructure Plan. Chorus CEO Mark Aue said the decision validated the fiber project's economic case and confirmed broadband as "essential national infrastructure." But a spokesperson for the commission—which is formally known as Te Waihanga—cautioned that while it supported the expansion of high-speed broadband it had not endorsed any specific rollout plan or technology.