Broadband policy

Broadband policy

The expansion and development of broadband is a vital component of New Zealand's economic growth, productivity improvements and the government's wider strategy to increase New Zealand's global competitiveness, particularly compared to other OECD countries.

Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative

The Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative is a government programme to bring fibre optic technology to homes, schools, hospitals, marae and businesses.

Rural Broadband Initiative

The Rural Broadband Initiative will deliver broadband to 252,000 rural households at prices and levels of service comparable with urban areas.

Telecommunications infrastructure deployment

The government is considering a range of measures to support the deployment of its two broadband initiatives.

Fibre drops policy for schools

In anticipation of the rollout of fibre via the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative and the Rural Broadband Initiative, state and state-integrated schools will be receiving fully-funded fibre drops when fibre is deployed in their region.

“Fibre drop” is the process of actually connecting the physical fibre from the street to school buildings, enabling schools to use the faster broadband network.

More information on how the roll-out of fibre impacts on schools is available on the Ministry of Education's website.

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Broadband policy

Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative

Rural Broadband Initiative

Telecommunications infrastructure deployment

Fibre drops policy for schools

Cyber security