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.
OPINION: Recent episodes of Fair Go have highlighted the difficulties a number of rural people have in getting access to quality, reliable broadband and how tough this makes their lives.
Businesses can't operate without a solid connection, kids can't be educated from home when required, and life is just harder for everyone.
As chair of WISPA-NZ, which represents specialist internet providers who look after many rural users, I understand why having access to the Internet is now a vital part of everyday life.
The 37 companies that make up our group are all specialists in using wireless internet technology to get to the places phone cable and fibre don't reach.
We already have more than 75,000 New Zealanders connected to the Internet through the huge range of towers built across rural Aotearoa. Our members know who they can reach and how to get a signal to people using some very sophisticated technology.
There's also been a major push from the Government to partner with our members to get fast broadband to everyone via the Rural Broadband (RBI). That's helped to fund towers to extend signals into some of the farthest spots you can imagine.
So, if people have no, or very limited internet connections, they shold get in contact with their local wireless internet service providers (or WISP) to see what can be done. Our members have a huge amount of experience of getting into the nooks and crannies of New Zealand and if we can help in any way, we would love to see what we could do.
For a list of all New Zealand's WISPs go to: https://www.wispa.nz/wispa-nz-members/.
Mike Smith, the chair of the Wieless Internet Service Providers Association of New Zealand (WISPA-NZ).
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.