Unconstrained broadband

There is almost universal agreement that broadband is to the 21st century what roads and rail were to the 20th century – critical infrastructure, and a basic requirement for ongoing economic growth - and InternetNZ is active in the campaign for better broadband for New Zealanders.

Barriers to Uptake

Following commercial decisions on partners for Government’s investment in the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI), attention is turning to potential barriers for uptake.

The Commerce Commission is studying issues that might affect the uptake of high speed broadband in New Zealand.

InternetNZ, while continuing to work on technical policy and architecture issues, has written a letter with preliminary views to the Commerce Commission.

Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative

The New Zealand Government is investing up to $1.5 billion in open-access, dark-fibre infrastructure to accelerate the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to 75 percent of New Zealanders over ten years. InternetNZ supports the Government’s efforts to accelerate the rollout of fibre through all possible means. InternetNZ's interest is in measures that will increase the speed of deployment in urban and in rural areas and in making sure the Government’s intention to invest public funds becomes a carefully considered policy framework and delivers desirable outcomes.

Telecom Operational Separation

The operational separation of Telecom was one of a number of reforms the Government implemented following a review of the telecommunications sector in 2006. Telecom was split into three arms-length business units (network, wholesale and retail), an important milestone in the leveling of the playing field for the telecommunications industry. Under the operational separation undertakings Telecom must deliver network services to itself and other service providers on the same time-scales and with the same terms and conditions (including price and service levels).

Broadband Strategy Options

In 2008, InternetNZ commissioned Network Strategies to produce a report on Broadband Strategy Options for New Zealand. The report is in two stages, both of which can be viewed here.

Broadband Strategy Options for NZ - Stage 1 Report

Broadband Strategy Options for NZ - Stage 2 Report

Cabinetisation & LLU

In January 2007, InternetNZ commissioned a report which investigated and made recommendations relating to cabinetisation and local loop unbundling issues.