Broadband Collaboration and Innovation welcomed

Broadband Collaboration and Innovation welcomed by Rural Women New Zealand

Rural Women New Zealand welcomes the fresh collaborative approach from companies pitching to deliver long-awaited broadband solutions for rural communities.

As aspiring providers meet today’s deadline for final proposals under the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative, key features include co-operation between companies, including a ground-breaking collaboration between rivals Telecom and Vodafone, open access for other retailers, and high network speeds, with at least one group of tenderers offering speeds of up to 1Gbps for rural schools.

“It is good news for rural people, and for the New Zealand economy, with the Rural Broadband Initiative set to deliver services that urban people take for granted,” says Rural Women New Zealand’s telecommunications spokesperson, Jacky Stafford.

“However it’s important that we do not forget those living in remote rural areas whose only option will continue to be satellite broadband.”

In a White Paper published earlier this year, Rural Women New Zealand advocated for universal access to broadband at city prices.

“We still stand by that target,” says Mrs Stafford. “Whether people access broadband via fibre, wireless or satellite, there should be a level playing field. For those in remote rural areas access to affordable broadband is just as important, if not more so, and the government must ensure their needs are met as well.”

Rural Women New Zealand would also like to see the rural broadband rollout achieved as quickly as possibly, and certainly faster than the six year timeframe set by the government.

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