| Media Statement
28 August 2008 |

Digital Strategy 2.0 – Smarter through Digital

Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe launched
Digital Strategy 2.0 today.

“This Strategy provides a bold vision and concrete actions to help New
Zealanders become leaders in the digital world.”

“Revolutionary change has occurred since the 2005 Digital Strategy. Robust
competition is driving a wave of investment to build super fast broadband
networks,“ said David Cunliffe.

“No country has more to gain from this digital revolution than New Zealand.
Through it we overcome our remoteness, leverage our inventiveness and show
off our uniqueness.

”The building blocks of the Digital Strategy remain relevant: super fast
connection, enhanced user confidence and cool content. DS 2.0 sets out
targets and actions that take these to the next level and emphasises the
importance of collaboration to get there.

“DS 2.0 challenges us to go further to secure outcomes from this
technology: new digital productivity; reduced environmental footprints, and
communities that are locally networked and globally connected.”

“To do this we are introducing a number of exciting new projects such as
Connected New Zealand and the Digital Content Innovation Cluster. We’re
also expanding successful initiatives, such as videoconferencing and
teleworking, the Aotearoa People’s Network and the Community Partnership
Fund.”

A major initiative of the Strategy is the $340 million for the Broadband
Investment Fund over three years from Budget 2008 to enable affordable
broadband roll-out based on competitive open-access principles. This is
part of the $500 million the government has committed to investing in
broadband infrastructure over the next five years. DS2 sets updated targets
for connection speed and super fast broadband rollout.

David Cunliffe said the government was committed to creating digital
opportunities by bringing the benefits of ICT to all New Zealanders.

“The Digital Strategy is about people and their ability to connect to the
world. It’s about bringing all New Zealanders on the journey by breaking
down the digital divide, and building their capability and confidence in
using ICT. The future belongs to us all.”

ends

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