Vector to participate in Rural Broadband

Vector to participate in Rural Broadband Initiative

Vector will continue working with other members of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group to provide the best national solution for the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).

The Government has today issued a request for proposals for the RBI and Vector Chief Executive Simon Mackenzie says he welcomes the opportunity to participate in the process.

“We have supported the Rural Broadband initiative from day one and believe it is an important extension to the Government’s Ultra Fast Broadband Initiative which concentrates on urban areas,” says Mr Mackenzie.

“We have worked closely with the Government throughout this process because we want to deliver the most compelling nationally coordinated solution for New Zealand.

“The speed and reliability of a fibre network will vastly improve connectivity to rural communities delivering fibre to rural schools and through the availability of fibre backhaul enable high speed wireless and mobile broadband for rural communities, farms and homes which far exceeds the experience available to rural customers on copper.

“Fibre networks must be put in place to cater for the demand that will exist in the next five to ten years. Rural communities stand to benefit from these new networks and solutions providing productivity and efficiency gains for rural and urban New Zealand. This is just the start.”

Mr Mackenzie says Vector is ready to begin building the Government’s fibre network now.

The Government’s RBI tender process closes on November 12.

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