Thursday, March 28, 2024

Push for better rural connectivity

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A 10-year plan that does not allow rural broadband connectivity to stand still is vital if rural communities are to ever match urban access, TUANZ chief executive Craig Young says.
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Young says there is a risk that without continuing investment and expansion in broadband beyond the existing initiatives, rural NZ will end up with the “stale doughnut” outcome.

This is particularly in areas where the original Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) kicked off.

“This really requires an increase of investment back into it due to capacity limitations,” Young said.

As services such as banking wind back in many rural communities, the need for connectivity to push forward has only grown. He says those communities should expect speeds at least equal to their urban counterparts.

“And it is a case of recognising we can take a multi-tech approach to achieve that. There is also the added element that urban broadband will not stand still, therefore, why should rural?” he asked.

Young says part of TUANZ’s 10-year plan is proposing a change to funding models.

This will help rural customers pick up on new wireless technology now available and could include free instalments of customer premises equipment (CPE) such as modems and routers on farms and homes.

“Now is the time to switch focus from technology and coverage to outcomes and individual needs,” he said.

TUANZ and wireless association WISPA have good data on individual premises covered in regions, and can identify what households are struggling to get decent broadband coverage.

“In urban fibre there is a free install, so in rural areas, is it not also worth investing in free CPE for end users?” he asked.

The association was also advocating the rollout of a national connectivity register.

“We already have the tools like the broadband map, but really what we want is people to know what is available, what is around them,” he said.

He says TUANZ is constantly getting calls from rural people unaware of the broadband options now out there in their district.

This comes as the technology offerings are poised to increase. They include the proposed Starlink low earth orbit satellite system proposing to provide an internet connection anywhere for US$100 a month.

Australian firm Connected Farms is also entering the NZ market via a new satellite operated over the South Pacific by Kacific.

Young sees the opportunity for industry groups, government and farming bodies to work together to increase knowledge on options.

WISPA chair Mike Smith says the challenge for rural broadband is the ongoing investment required to upgrade wireless infrastructure, compared to the “one-off” cost fibre incurs as it goes into the ground, with little upkeep required afterwards.

“We are getting there, but we need a plan that will fund this to ensure we are maintaining and growing. It is not about just getting to 20Mbps – it’s got to be how to get to 50, or 100,” Smith said.

He says the competitive space for rural broadband will become interesting as the new players enter in coming months.

“There is talk about satellites dumping their capacity over the South Pacific,” he said.

He says WISPA members would like to see some sort of onselling model come from their presence.

“It is a threat, but it is an opportunity as well,” he said.

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