Chorus backs need for rural high speed internet
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
The Government has welcomed the completion of the 250th 4G mobile tower, as part of its push for better rural connectivity.
Waikato’s Wiltsdown, roughly 80 kilometres south of Hamilton, is home to the new tower, developed by the Rural Connectivity Group to enable improved service to 70 homes and businesses in the surrounding area.
The Government says that nationally, under the Rural Broadband Initiative Phase 2 (RBI2), Government-funded connectivity programmes have improved connectivity for more than 62,000 rural households and businesses.
“This Government is committed to ensuring that more rural communities enjoy the social and economic benefits of fast, reliable broadband connection,” says Minister for Digital Economy and Communication David Clark.
“Along with building new infrastructure to deliver improved digital connectivity to rural areas, the Government committed $10 million in Budget 2021 to open up suitable radio spectrum for rural communities, where broadband capacity and coverage is under pressure.
“This will mean vastly improved broadband for rural communities in the long-term as the 600MHz band, is a lower frequency, better suited to 5G services in rural areas,” Clark says.
The Government says it remains committed to its 2020 Election Manifesto commitment to establish a $60 million fund for improving connectivity and backhaul services in the worst connected parts of New Zealand.
“We understand the need for, and want to see the delivery of, reliable fast internet connections to rural Aotearoa,” says Clark.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.