The government's fibre company Crown Fibre Holdings (CFH) have announced the first group of local fibre companies with which they will negotiate to receive funding under the $1.5Bn UFB (Ultra Fast Broadband) investment scheme.  

Counties Power remain in contention as one of the 14 shortlisted parties.  

It is interesting to note that Axia Media (the front company for Vodafone NZ's bid) has not been shortlisted.  This means that Axia will likely not be a contender for the Rural Broadband initiative also, leaving only the two national contenders - Telecom Chorus and NZ Regional Fibre Group, represented in Franklin by Counties Power.