Telecom Rural Charges Price Hike “Yet Another Blow To
Rural New Zealand”
26 rural Mayors met today to discuss
some of the issues currently of concern to the territorial
local authorities around New Zealand. Of primary concern
was the issue of the increase in Telecom’s rural connection
charges.
David Owen, Mayor of Waimate District and Local
Government Rural Sector Group Spokesperson said that the
rural Mayors who attended today’s meeting and were briefed
by Telecom still felt betrayed and angry at the proposed
increases in connection charges.
“The Mayors listened to
Telecom but are still furious. Access to a phone is not a
luxury in rural New Zealand, it is a necessity. Without a
phone life in rural New Zealand is not safe and surely that
is reason enough for Telecom to reconsider its decision,”
said David Owen.
The Mayors passed a unanimous resolution
condemning Telecom’s new charging proposals and demanding
that the Government ensures that Telecom complies with the
intent of their Kiwishare obligation, so that all New
Zealanders have access to telecommunication services at a
reasonable cost.
The Group also expressed concerns about
Telecom’s possible involvement in Government plans for
Broadband expansion to service rural and provincial
education. Based on this most recent decision by Telecom,
there is wide spread cynicism over the reliability and
commitment to social responsibility of Telecom.
Other
issues discussed today were rural roading funding and lack
of new works planned, rural health initiatives, rural
sewerage upgrades, and Sport and Recreation (formally
Hillary Commission) Community Sport Funding abolition for
rural communities.
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