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Source: ONE News -
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The government is seeking final proposals for its rural broadband initiative.
Expressions of interest were sought in April from groups interested in taking part in the rollout of fast broadband infrastructure to the regions.
The Communications and Information Technology Minister said a significant number of high quality proposals have been received. Steven Joyce said he's now seeking national coverage proposals, rather than region by region proposals.
The government is encouraging regional infrastructure companies and other stakeholders to partner with national bidders, and is providing an additional six weeks for proposals to be prepared.
"We are now seeking national coverage proposals, rather than region by region proposals," Joyce said.
He said while regional bidders could make a significant impact on broadband coverage, they fall short of achieving the targets for coverage.
"I am confident we will achieve our target of 80% of rural households and businesses having access to broadband services of 5Mbps or better and the remaining 20% on speeds of 1Mbps within the six year period."
The New Zealand Regional Fibre Group has put its hand up to offer improved broadband to rural New Zealand via fibre networks. The concept will allow for a cocktail of fixed, mobile and wireless technology to be provided over an open access fibre network.
Chief executive Vaughan Baker said the group plans to submit a competitive, nationally co-ordinated response that reaches a greater percentage of New Zealanders than the government was originally aiming for.
Federated Farmers believes the potential of rural broadband is being underplayed by today's "final proposals".
"With this approach, some 860,000 Kiwis in 'rural' New Zealand may eventually have the broadband speeds that consumers in Wellington currently have, while 215,000 'rural' Kiwis may end up with just a fifth of that speed," telecommunications spokesperson Donald Aubrey said.
He said rural areas want to exceed current government aspirations and the government is not ambitious enough about seeding the next agricultural revolution.
"The social, education and medical advances enabled by ultrafast broadband should be as available here as in the cities. Broadband enhances social connectedness while crushing the tyranny of distance," said Aubrey.
The tender process closes on November 12.
