NBR in cross-community chorus for Internet changes

NBR joins cross-community chorus for Internet changes
Media release – InternetNZ
3 February 2006

"Today’s National Business Review expose on the shocking state of broadband take up means the business newspaper joins a growing list of critics of the status quo," InternetNZ President Colin Jackson said today.

He was commenting on extensive reporting in the NBR criticising Telecom’s approach to broadband rollout.

"The NBR joins other centre-right commentators such as Gareth Morgan and Fran O’Sullivan in calling for significant changes to the regulatory framework, to launch a transformation of New Zealand’s broadband prospects," Colin Jackson said.

"A range of industry groups are making the same calls. TUANZ and ISPANZ have been consistent in calling for regulatory steps to create a more competitive market.

"Service providers are worried about our poor national broadband situation too. Yesterday’s comments by Symantec, Intel, Microsoft and IBM continue to add to the pressure for change.

"In addition, many of the government’s support parties in Parliament recognise the need for fundamental change. It is beginning to look like a broad community momentum for change has taken hold.

"David Cunliffe is no doubt taking careful note of this gathering chorus demanding changes. It comes from industry, from users, from the left and right of politics, and from major knowledge economy firms.

"InternetNZ supports the common theme – regulatory action needs to happen this year, to build competition and speed up the rollout of innovative high speed broadband Internet services," concluded Colin Jackson.

ENDS

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