All About Uber Group!

Uber Group actually began as Uber PC in 2003; UberNetworks was later formed in 2005 (along with Vision Corporate and Vision Infrastructure)and all these companies were amalgamated under the umbrella of Uber Group in late 2009.

Providing IT support in Northland saw Uber PC constantly exceed the monthly data allowance offered by the only broadband provider of the time, Telecom.

Many different options were investigated before purchasing commercial bandwidth from Kordia, New Zealand’s largest broadcast communications provider. Some commercial realities were needed to meet the large costs associated with the purchase and the decision was made to launch UberNetworks.

The initial intention was to provide a few of the surrounding businesses with a competitively priced fast broadband service to help offset the costs from Kordia. Uber staff identified a 802.11 variant that could deliver the required broadband speeds reliably over great distances and Northland’s challenging terrain at an affordable price.

Uber was approached by Martin Leevy, an American telecommunications specialist and guest of Tangowahine Farm Stay. He was keen to discuss the practicalities of providing a quality broadband service to the Tangowahine community and in turn Tangowahine Farm Stay.

Uber identified possible ways of delivering a quality service to this area and by the end of 2006 the community was the first of many to have high-speed broadband. This began the rapid rollout into some of the most challenging terrain New Zealand has to offer - rural Northland.

Uber has steadily continued to roll out Wireless broadband service deeper into rural northland, focusing specifically on the far north district. In 2008 the business added VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone service. This has been a huge success, offering businesses and residential connections an economic and reliable alternative phone service. The service does not use any of the customer’s bandwidth or data cap and in most cases is more competitively priced than customers’ incumbent provider.

Late 2009 Uber obtained approval to put a broadcast tower on DOC land in Waima, which will take the service up the East Coast to Kaitiaia. At the same time access to private land has been offered in Kaeo which will take the service up the West Coast to Kaitiaia. This will offer a much needed service into a community desperate for fast, reliable communications.

In March 2010 Uber's coverage extends from Pakiri to Kaitaia. Our focus is now to increase to coverage density inside this area and finding ways to further improve the experience of Uber's broadband customers.

Uber is always looking for new projects, goals and opportunities. If you think you have something interesting we might be able to help with, please do contact us!