If you're in an internet black spot, or have no broadband, then Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller wants to hear about it.
Todd wants local authorities and district council to make a case for bringing ultra-fast broadband to the city fringes and rural districts that are currently lacking access to fast internet connections.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller wants to hear from people with internet connectivity issues. Photo: File.
Places such as The Lakes and Panorama Drive in Welcome Bay suffer from a lack of connectivity and the government wants to hear from councils about such locations.
'If the local councils tell the government where the grey and black spots are, the government will focus on those areas,” says Todd.
The Registration of Interest document, which is seeking input from local councils and technology providers, is the next step in the government's $2 billion fibre investment.
'Better access to faster broadband is something that's raised with me often as a local MP,” says Todd. 'This is our chance to get directly involved and show why we need better connectivity in our community.
'Over the coming weeks I want to hear from council and local providers about their ideas on how we can support the roll-out and uptake of better services in our district.”
He's met with locals from Welcome Bay and Pyes Pa who see real need for improvements where the benefits would be exponential.
'Digital connectivity is a key part of growing our local economy,” says Todd. 'Ensuring our local businesses, schools, homes and health care providers have access to fast and reliable broadband means more opportunities for our community.”
The Government is investing an additional $152 million to $210 million to lift the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme coverage from 75 percent to 80 per cent of New Zealanders.
It is also investing $100 million to expand the Rural Broadband programme, and $50 million to improve mobile coverage in black spot areas along main highways and in popular tourist destinations.
Ultra Fast Broadband is being deployed to 75 per cent of the population by the end of 2019.
5 comments
Wisechief
Posted on 13-03-2015 11:10 | By Wise Chief
We wouldn't even have this high speed system had I not gotten stuck into the out of touch with reality asleep at the wheel telecommunications commission on my return to NZ after five years offshore in 2005. Their dallying with regards to high speed internet communications severely restricting large data files transmissions like CAD/CAM for Engineering product developments, movies etc costing this country todate many hundreds of billions in international commerce.Heck even in Beijing they had 100 MB per second when I flew out for NZ and when I got here they barely manage 10 MBs. God only knows how fast the Chinese system is today but it would be many magnitudes that found here.
Overit
Posted on 13-03-2015 13:12 | By overit
I guess Northlands Bi-election has prompted this concern. A flow on effect.
I wonder if it's really that important
Posted on 13-03-2015 18:55 | By Annalist
I wonder how many will use it just to download movies faster and go on youtube. This is a city that prefers to waste money on library renovations rather than get with the modern technology on internet.
I wish if only
Posted on 13-03-2015 19:14 | By s83cruiser
"Ultra Fast Broadband is being deployed to 75 per cent of the population by the end of 2019." Gonna be a shame that 95% of the 75% wont be able to afford it.
Wisechief
Posted on 13-03-2015 21:19 | By flashmedallion
"costing this country to date many hundreds of billions in international commerce" Sauce please
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