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More Broadband Choices For Rural New Zealanders


More Broadband Choices For Rural New Zealanders

Telecom is this month delivering a new broadband package for Fonterra dairy suppliers as part of its broadband expansion for rural New Zealanders.

The package will include a broadband fast Internet connection, free uploads and downloads from Fencepost.com, discounted pricing, and other benefits.

Telecom’s Head of Internet and Online Marketing Chris Thompson said Telecom was using a combination of technologies to provide broadband to almost 60 percent of Fonterra’s current suppliers with coverage increasing to 100 percent in the next 18 months.

Telecom Xtra will provide Fonterra suppliers with broadband services either via JetStream, operating over Telecom’s existing wire network, or by a new Xtra Wireless service, which operates over Broadcast Communications Ltd’s (BCL) new broadband wireless network, Extend.

Xtra Wireless broadband is now available in parts of Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.

“The combination of Telecom and BCL technology is providing unprecedented broadband access with wireless now available to those Fonterra suppliers beyond the reach of Telecom’s broadband service, JetStream,” Mr Thompson said.

“The wireless solution provided by BCL is ideal for rural New Zealand because it is able to meet the challenges posed by a dispersed population and mountainous terrain.”

“Coverage will be extended with further expansion of both Telecom’s and BCL’s network and the introduction of satellite technology from mid-2004,” he said.

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“It’s great to be working with Fonterra to bring broadband and the new opportunities it offers to their suppliers. This project is also a big step towards delivering broadband to all Kiwis.”

The Package

In addition to broadband, Fonterra suppliers will receive:

• A discount of $10-a-month on standard Xtra Wireless prices

• Free uploads and downloads from Fencepost.com

• A 15 percent discount on standard national and home-to-Telecom-mobile phone calling rates

• Xtra Internet services such as email anti-virus and anti-spam protection

• A free calling circle of up to nine other Fonterra package customers, plus the Fonterra contact centre

Pricing for JetStream starts at $49.95 a month, including GST, for Xtra JetStream Home 500 which has a 500 megabyte (MB) usage allowance and speeds up to 256 kilobits per second (kbps).

For those Fonterra suppliers accessing the Internet using Xtra Wireless, pricing will start at $99.95 a month, including GST, for a 1000 MB usage allowance and speed of up to 256 kbps.

Excess usage for both JetStream and Xtra Wireless plans will be charged at 20 cents per MB.

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