Former All Black backs down-to-earth rural internet provider
With the COVID-19 lockdown placing even greater emphasis on the need for reliable internet networks, a former All Black is working to keep New Zealand’s rural folk connected.
A New Zealand internet service provider claims its satellite network is not only taking internet access to all the places traditional broadband can’t reach – it’s now twice as fast.
Wireless Nation says its new increased download speed of up to 10Mbps is much quicker than competing satellite networks and is comparable to standard city broadband. The increased speed means faster web browsing, quicker downloading of email attachments, and it allows video streaming in even higher quality.
The extra speed comes at no extra cost and is available pretty much anywhere in New Zealand.
“Wireless Nation has always been passionate about improving rural connectivity,” says managing director Bill Smale. “Satellite broadband has come a long way since early expensive versions which provided very slow download speeds, and is only going to keep getting faster.
“We are continuing to innovate and use the latest satellite technology to provide the fastest, most reliable broadband possible to rural New Zealand.”
Wireless Nation says it uses leading technology to get satellite broadband wherever it’s demanded.
The internet feed is beamed from a geostationary satellite to a dish installed at the customer’s home. Its coverage comes through the Optus Satellite which has ‘hot’ signal strength over New Zealand and is not prone to rain fade.
The company also offers VoIP (Voice over IP) phones, which it says are cheaper and more functional than a normal landline. Its satellite network is designed to optimise their performance.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.

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