InternetNZ encourages municipal broadband debate

InternetNZ encourages municipal broadband debate

February 2008

InternetNZ (the Internet Society of New Zealand Inc) encourages attendees at the upcoming Local Government New Zealand Broadband Forum to thoroughly explore the benefits of municipal broadband networks.

InternetNZ Executive Director Keith Davidson says high capacity, universally available broadband has become an essential utility for modern cities and many cities and regional authorities worldwide have funded and built municipal fibre or wireless-based networks to stimulate economic growth and benefit their citizenry.

“In New Zealand, the local government sector has an important role to play in developing and driving new broadband investment, particularly open access fibre networks. We welcome this initiative from Local Government New Zealand and are looking forward to outputs from the forum.”

InternetNZ is a sponsor and strong supporter of the forum, being held in Wellington on 20 – 21 February. The forum aims to clarify local government’s role in broadband deployment and the government’s Digital Strategy agenda within local communities.

Keynote speakers include Minister of Communications David Cunliffe and Telecom Chief Executive Paul Reynolds. The forum will also feature several workshops and panel sessions on municipal broadband, rural broadband and open access fibre.

A PDF of the forum programme is available on the Local Government New Zealand website at:

http://www.lgnz.co.nz/admin/Local_Government_Broadband_Forum_Programme.pdf

ENDS

© Scoop Media