12 August 2025
Northpower Fibre builds a more sustainable and resilient network
Northpower Fibre is making significant strides to enhance the sustainability and reliability of its fibre network, with a strong focus on reducing outage times, supporting priority services, and futureproofing for the long term.
One of the key improvements is the introduction of another fibre loop using an Ethernet Ring Protection System (ERPS). Three rings now run through the network, ensuring that if one fibre path is disrupted, another can be switched on to take over and make the impacted network operational, which will significantly reduce the outage time.
Future-proofing critical connections
This upgrade was put into sharp focus recently when a cable strike on State Highway 14 caused a major outage in Dargaville. Thanks to the new ERPS structure, areas like Dargaville and Mangawhai can now be fed from two directions, significantly reducing potential downtime.
Northpower Fibre has also made changes to better support essential services such as hospitals and emergency services. These customers are now aligned on a dedicated part of the network where we can increase the battery life if needed, ensuring continuity during extended power outages.
These priority sites have been rerouted to specific ports, in the next phase, allowing for targeted monitoring via remote management switches and enabling faster response and resolution in the event of disruptions safely.
By investing in smart design, redundancy, and long-term thinking, Northpower Fibre is not only improving network resilience but also supporting a more sustainable digital future for its communities.
