ISP Group Meets With Minister

4 August 2005

ISP Group Meets With Minister

The recently formed Internet Service Provider Association of New Zealand (ISPANZ) had its inaugural meeting in Wellington yesterday, with Telecommunications minister David Cunliffe joining them to discuss their objectives, in particular the goal of improving New Zealand's broadband uptake through increased competition.

ISPANZ spokesperson David Diprose, general manager of networks for ihug, says 17 of the 22 members travelled to Wellington to attend the meeting.

"Virtually all the ISPs that have joined ISPANZ made the effort to travel to Wellington for our first meeting, indicating how seriously the industry takes this group and its potential.

"We were privileged to have the minister take time out from his busy schedule to discuss how we can work together to move New Zealand forward, in line with the Government's digital strategy, from the broadband backwater that it currently is," he says.

Diprose says the group has agreed to form as an incorporated society and has made significant progress towards agreeing on a constitution.

"We also met with InternetNZ to discuss the most effective way for both groups to work together towards our common goals." He says the help and advice from InternetNZ has been invaluable to ISPANZ in their formative stage.

ENDS

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