Rural Broadband Initiative
The government is concerned that the standard of broadband services in rural areas improves, given New Zealand’s high dependence on the rural sector for economic growth and productivity improvements.
The government is currently considering policies to improve the quality and availability of telecommunications services in rural areas, including both direct funding of infrastructure in rural areas through the funding of ultra-fast broadband to rural schools (the Rural Broadband Initiative), and restructuring the Local Service TSO to better target industry funding at the needs of rural users. These proposals comprise the Government's Rural Telecommunications Strategy.
On 10 September 2009, Communications and Information Technology Minister Hon Steven Joyce announced targets for the roll-out of broadband to rural customers [link to beehive website].
On 29 September 2009, the Minister released [link to Beehive website]the Rural Broadband Initiative discussion document and a TSO reform discussion document for public comment.
A total of 67 submissions were received on the rural broadband proposal.
Next steps
The government is currently considering the submissions. On 1 December 2009, the Minister said he expects to announce the government's final policies on rural broadband and TSO reform in early 2010.
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