Broadband in New Zealand
The government wishes to create a step-change in the provision of broadband services. 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 investment initiative
The government's goal for ultra-fast broadband investment is to accelerate the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to 75 percent of New Zealanders, concentrating in the first six years on priority broadband users such as businesses, schools and health services, plus green field developments and certain tranches of residential areas.
The government's objective will be supported by government investment of up to $1.5 billion alongside private sector investment, and be directed to open-access infrastructure.
Rural broadband
The key objectives the Government aims to achieve in rural New Zealand are:
- Ultra-fast broadband to 97 percent of New Zealand schools (serving 99.7 percent of New Zealand students).
- Improving coverage of fast broadband services so that 97 percent of New Zealand households and enterprises are able to access broadband services of 5 Mbps or better.
These objectives are to be achieved through progressive network upgrades over ten years (beginning in 2009/10), focusing in the first six years on connecting schools to ultra-fast broadband.
The Government intends to spend up to $300 million to improve rural broadband.
Facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure
The government is considering a range of regulatory and non-regulatory measures that the government and others, such as local councils and industry groups, could adopt to facilitate the roll-out of broadband infrastructure by reducing deployment costs, speeding up consenting processes, and encouraging the use of existing support structures.
Ultra-Fast Broadband Investment Initiative
The government's $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband investment initiative.
Rural Broadband Initiative
The government's commitment to creating a step-change in rural telecommunications infrastructure.
Facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure
The government is seeking comments on measures to facilitate the rollout of its ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Archive
Previous broadband announcements and other documentation.
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