Around 20 years ago, rewiring for data communication in New Zealand started, when some progressive people laid innovative wires known as fiber-optic cable.

At that time, the cables had only one filament of glass, but now they can have up to 624 strands of glass fiber, and every year makers take out cables with a lot more.

These fine glass strands pass on rays of light, contrary to the electromagnetic signals, which transmit through copper telephone wires.

The best part about these fiber wires is the incredible boost in capacity (bandwidth).

It is believed that just two strands of glass, sending and receiving, are capable of transmitting complete data, voice and video capacity of the whole of New Zealand.

Fiber wires are equipped to provide 1,000 times more bandwidth, compared to copper ones. Copper phone wires offer restrict bandwidth.

It is the wide-reaching and increased capacity that passes on laser rays of light, which gives a true essence to what is called "broadband".

Other than this, the fiber-optic cable comes at a cheaper price. It begins at $1.30 a meter for a cable with 12 strands, and $2.40 per meter for "36-core" cable.