Charting the way to ubiquitous, high speed internet
RSS
Posted Mon 26 May 2008 @ 3:23 p.m. by Sarah Putt
TUANZ has submitted its response to the Draft Digital Strategy 2.0 to the Ministry of Economic Development. In the submission we welcome the concept of an inspirational strategy that is ‘owned by New Zealand, not just the government’. However we question whether the Strategy in its present form will “chart a way forward to ubiquitous, high-speed internet for all New Zealanders.”
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit – quoted on page 42 of the draft strategy – New Zealand could boost its GDP by $13.1 billion by 2030 (10 per cent of current GDP) if it could move into the top quartile for broadband performance in the OECD by 2015.
There’s a long way to go (last week it was announced NZ had crawled ahead one place to 19 out of 30 for broadband uptake). Here are some of the suggestions TUANZ has made in its submission as to how New Zealand can get into the top ten:
- Fibre to the Premise (FTTx) becomes the overarching goal of an ambitious Digital Strategy.
- The government cast a wider net when considering potential investors in broadband infrastructure.
- Serious analysis needed into the benefits of fibre networks to rural communities.
- A clear definition of open access and a suggestion that the government investigate the recent law change in France which has made all ducts open-access.
- A well resourced and unified response to the skills shortage from both the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Education.
- A closer alignment of publicly funded research with private sector goals.
- The establishment of a distinct government agency to implement the Digital Strategy.
You can read the full submission here.
Categories: Fixed line carriers | Innovation | Regulatory | TUANZ policy