fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 29 April 2020 10:17

Rural broadband upgrade

Written by  Peter Burke
The investment will bring broadband services to rural households that are currently without access to the internet, says Faafoi. The investment will bring broadband services to rural households that are currently without access to the internet, says Faafoi.

The Government will spend $15 million to improve rural broadband.

The money will be used to upgrade some existing rural mobile towers, upgrade wireless backhaul, which connects remote sites to central networks, and install external antennae on households to improve coverage

Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi says the investment will bring broadband services to rural households that are currently without access to the internet.

He says it will mean remote communities are better equipped to get going again when we exit lockdown.

“With the impacts of COVID-19 seeing increasing numbers of New Zealanders using broadband for education, work and maintaining links with friends and whānau, connectivity is more important than ever before,” he says

Faafoi says while the Government’s aim is to provide access to around 99.8% of New Zealanders, some households in isolated regions require reliable access to broadband services in light of COVID-19 – particularly households with school-age children who need internet access for remote learning.  

He says this new work brings forward capacity upgrades to meet increased demand for the internet where the urgency is most critical.

More like this

Is augmented reality the future of farming?

Imagine a farmer being able to tell a paddock’s pasture cover and dry matter content just by looking at it, or accessing information about a cow’s body condition score in the same way.

Looking to upgrade?

Technology is constantly evolving, meaning products change quickly so you need to ensure improvements and upgrades are yielding value from day one. When looking at on farm upgrades, WaterForce suggests that the following are key questions in your investment research:

Productivity, quality and Pinot Noir

A machine-learning algorithm could help change the face of New Zealand Pinot Noir, by offering data-based decisions for optimal Pinot production.

Keeping tails clean now’s a ‘Switch’

Any dairy farmer who has taken a smack in the face from a dung-encrusted cow’s tail on a frosty morning will know the feeling and wonder how to stop it happening again.

Featured

DWOTY Award 'an absolute honour'

Humbling, overwhelming, and an absolute honour. That’s how 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts describes her win at the Dairy Women’s Network conference earlier this month.

New CEO for Dairy Goat Co-op

Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative (DGC) is revamping its leadership in the hope of recovering from its financial doldrums.

Great stewards of the land

James and Debbie Stewart of Dairylands in the Manawatū are no strangers to taking home the silverware.

National

Rural GP's inspiring legacy

The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial…

Off the radar

A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media…

Machinery & Products

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control…