Published on the 22/02/2010 | Written by Newsdesk

Crown Fibre Holdings has outlined an indicative timetable for its assessment of proposals received from various parties and consortiums for the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative.

The government agency’s cal for proposals from respondents for delivery of fibre networks throughout New Zealand closed on 29 January.

“The process to assess proposals is complex, but we have an indicative timetable which we are working towards,” says CFH chairman Simon Allen.

CFH will be contacting respondents this week to obtain additional information on proposals in respect of the eligibility criteria.

“As needed, the additional information required will enable Crown Fibre Holdings to make decisions about which proposals are eligible and will therefore be taken to the next stage. Assuming information is forthcoming, Crown Fibre Holdings should be able to settle on a preliminary shortlist of eligible proposals within a month,” says Allen.

Crown Fibre Holdings will then be carrying out detailed analysis of preliminary shortlisted proposals (this will include a more detailed information request) and will be having discussions with parties on the preliminary shortlist during March and April.

“Crown Fibre Holdings’ current objective is to complete the next stage of the assessment process by the end of May. We then expect to decide on the final shortlist, with whom Crown Fibre Holdings will negotiate final binding offers for recommendation to Shareholding Ministers, during the third calendar quarter of this year,” Allen says.

As the process advances, CFH will announce further details.