Broadband In The West Coast On A Roll

BROADBAND IN THE WEST COAST ON A ROLL

Broadband fast Internet on the West Coast will be more accessible than ever as Telecom’s rollout of broadband to schools and surrounding communities begins next month.

Telecom has reached agreement with the Government, as part of Project PROBE, to extend broadband coverage in the West Coast, Wellington-Kapiti-Horowhenua, Gisborne-Hawke’s Bay, Otago, Manawatu-Wanganui, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Waikato-Thames-Coromandel regions.

New equipment - mini-dslams - will be rolled out on the West Coast extending broadband coverage to 15 schools by the end of June. The mini-dslams provide broadband coverage within a four kilometre radius allowing surrounding communities to also receive broadband.

Work to extend broadband coverage to an additional eight schools will be completed by the end of the year. Already 23 schools on the West Coast have access to broadband.

“It is good to see the roll out now becoming a reality” Venture West Coast Chairman Pat O’Dea reported. “This is the first part of a wider telecommunication infrastructure plan Venture West Coast has been working on for over 18 months.”

Working with Communities

Telecom is also developing a programme with the regional broadband committees in the Telecom-PROBE regions.

The committees and Telecom are developing charters which will focus on the regions' economic, social and community development needs. This could include extending broadband into "gap" areas, fibre extension and community pilots of broadband applications for small businesses.

Network upgrades will reach the following West Coast schools by June.

Inangahua Junction School Maruia School Waimangaroa School Ahaura School Blackball School Brunnerton Primary School Moonlight School Ngahere School Paroa School (Greymouth) Kaniere School Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School Kumara School Ross School South Westland Area School Rotomanu School

For updates on upcoming dates please refer to www.probe.govt.nz

ENDS

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