Southlanders free to roam with wireless Internet

Media Release

Southlanders free to roam with wireless Internet access

For release: 10 October 2003

Southlanders will have the freedom to surf the web from home, the office, the farm or the car, as
world-class wireless internet services arrive in the region.

Venture Southland said flexibility and portability were its key considerations when implementing its whole of community broadband strategy.

“Southlanders work flexible hours in innovative industries in remote locations. We needed an equally flexible technology solution to meet these needs,” CEO Jeff Troon said.

Venture Southland has signed a preferred service provider agreement with New Zealand-owned Woosh Wireless to roll out the technology in the region and a user trial has been completed in Tuatapere.

Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said the high-speed wireless broadband technology trialled in Tuatapere has been extremely well received by participants.

“The wireless technology is especially important for enabling local businesses, like the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, to improve operational productivity,” Mayor Cardno said.

Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track’s General Manager Evan Bloomfield said this type of technology was ideal for his customer and internal communication needs.

“Wireless technology will increase the efficiency of the communication between the rangers on staff at our two hut complexes. Currently, we use radios but hope to upgrade to laptops and wireless broadband in the near future,” Mr Bloomfield said.

Trish King, co-owner of Western Southland Milkies, chilled foods and milk delivery business, said the new technology has already enabled her to e-mail invoices to customers and in the future would enable her to introduce a wireless handheld operating system for their business.

“Once we have the new system, we will be able to input deliveries and orders from the trucks into a handheld, then download these directly to our office computer. No more manual data entering required!” said Mrs King.

Venture Southland said the introduction of another broadband service provider to Southland promotes price innovation and gives customers greater choice.

“Southlanders will be able to choose from the best broadband technology currently on offer anywhere in the world,” said Mayor Cardno.
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