Author: Mike Cook

A booming year in rural broadband for the region’s largest WISP
With 2019 coming to an end, Lightwire has confirmed its status as Waikato and Bay of Plenty's largest WISP, after a booming year has seen the rural broadband company provide fast reliable broadband to more than 6,300 households throughout the regions. Since the start of the year, Lightwire has we...

Lightwire, keeping you connected this Christmas
Deck the halls with boughs of data this Christmas and get set for the holiday season with Lightwire. Kiwis across the country are today, tomorrow and the next day – up until the jolly man comes– preparing to fa-la-la-la-lah into the holiday period. With the majority of New Zealand on holiday ...

Speed of light’wire, keeping you connected
When it comes to many things in life – speed is of the essence. Just ask Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan runner who, earlier this month, ran a marathon in under 2 hours. Or the England Rugby Team, who scored a try in the opening two minutes of their semi-final match against the All Blacks (but we’re ...



Rural broadband connectivity on the rise with latest RBI2 update
The Government’s latest Quarterly Connectivity Report shows an extra 38,662 rural households and businesses have improved rural broadband due to Crown Infrastructure Partner’s (COPI) Rural Broadband Initiative – Phase 2 (RBI2). As CIP’s Waikato and Bay of Plenty Partners, Lightwire has be...


Getting behind our community for the Trillian Trek
Connecting communities is what we love to do! That’s why we’re supporting local community fundraising team, The Flying Dutchmen, in their fundraising activities for the annual Trillian Trek. Approached by Lightwire customers, Danielle, Scott, Mike and Brett van den Bemd, we were only too happy t...


Rural internet, bridging the gap between city and farm
If you live outside an urban area, you already know Lightwire is changing broadband for the better in our rural communities. We’re bridging the gap between urban and rural broadband connectivity with more than 200 tower sites around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. These sites help our rural communi...


Stay connected these school holidays
It’s that time of year again – school holidays! The good news is we’re halfway through them. But, if you’re feeling the pressure to keep your kids entertained before they head back to the classroom, our winter school holiday survival guide should see you through the final few days. Extra da...



Happy customers as Lightwire exceeds RBI2 schedule
As demand grows for reliable broadband in the rural sector, we are happy to announce the recent completion of the Rural Broadband Initiative Phase Two (RBI2) second quarter schedule. With this, we are tracking ahead of requirements set by Crown Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP). The RBI2 schedule ...


Streaming Sports Online
New Zealand is prepping for rugby fever and the Lightwire team is strengthening its defences to tackle the predicted increase in online streaming this season. The broadcasting of the world’s biggest rugby event has been limited to subscription-based television services in previous years. Howeve...



Grandmother finds rural internet solution to improve her grandchildren’s access to education
Fran Awburn’s grandchildren needed online access to their correspondence school resources when they moved to Awburn’s property on Ellicotts Block last year. But, living rurally, that access was difficult. Limited connectivity to the property in Puahue meant Awburn had unreliable internet serv...