InternetNZ looks forward to fibre future

InternetNZ looks forward to fibre future
Media Release
5 February 2009

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) today responds to the announcement
by Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce in
respect to cancellation of the Broadband Investment Fund.

Executive Director Keith Davidson says the focus is now clearly on the
Ultra Fast Broadband roll-out.

"We look forward to working with Government directly to ensure that the
Ultra Fast Broadband to the Premises rollout achieves the Government's
goals as quickly as possible and provides the best value for money."

The five principles originally set out by John Key will be crucial to
the success of the $1.5 million spend, says Davidson. These include
having no undue advantage to existing providers, open access
architecture, avoidance of duplication, accessibility to all, and a
focus on public private partnerships.

The InternetNZ-commissioned Network Strategies report "Broadband
Strategy Options for New Zealand" provides a proposal involving using
utilities such as energy lines companies to assist in a cost-effective
rollout. InternetNZ believes this report provides a useful starting
point for the Governments broadband infrastructure planning.

“The Government does not have to adopt a “one size fits all” approach.
Serious consideration needs to be given to regionally based
developments, working with existing telco and other network providers,
to drive down rollout costs and to provide the solutions that work best
for any given region."

Davidson says while InternetNZ accepts that the decision has been made
in respect to cancelling the previous Government's Broadband Investment
Fund, it is clear that there is significant demand in the regions to get
ultrafast broadband quickly.

"A huge amount of assessment and planning work was undertaken around the
country. This huge push for ultra fast broadband should be tapped into
within the Government's new plans," says Davidson.

"The Government should consider whether the framework and planning from
the BIF could be revised to provide a way to help with broadband rollout
outside the 75% of the country covered by the $1.5bn pledge."

ENDS

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