Broadband to Rural Communities
September 14, 2009
Rural communities in Hawke’s Bay will benefit from the rollout of fast broadband, says MP for Tukituki, Craig Foss.
The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, today announced coverage targets for the roll out of broadband to rural communities.
Within the next six years, the Government expects 93 per cent of rural schools will receive fibre, enabling speeds of at least 100Mbps, with the remaining 7 per cent to achieve speeds of at least 10Mbps.
Over the same period, 80 per cent of rural households will have access to broadband with speeds of at least 5Mbps.
“This is great news for our rural regions. Communities will be excited about the future of broadband in their homes and schools,” says Napier MP Chris Tremain.
“Fast broadband is a key issue for communities in Hawke’s Bay and I’m thrilled that the National-led Government agrees and is accelerating the roll-out of fast broadband services to rural and remote areas,” he adds.
“Rural communities are an integral part of our economy,’ says Mr Foss ‘and we cannot afford to let them fall behind. Around half of rural households in New Zealand are coping with dial up speeds currently and that’s not good enough in the 21st century,”
“Fibre to rural schools and households promises huge gains in productivity, innovation, and global reach for New Zealand. Those are the things that will grow our economy,’ says Mr Tremain
