Broadband – “As important to farmers in 2008 as the party line in 1968.”

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Posted Tue 24 June 2008 @ 10:32 a.m. by Ernie Newman

 That was the assessment of Federated Farmers telecomms spokesman Don Aubrey at the telecommunications summit yesterday.

In a refreshingly honest assessment, Don said farmers need bandwidth just as much as a consultant working in Queen Street. But it’s a two way benefit - he also noted that the hinterland needs access to farmers as much as farmers need access to the hinterland.

He’ll also be a speaker next week at the TUANZ Rural Broadband Symposium, registrations for which are about to close.

Don incidentally, described himself as a fibre producer on his South Island property. I had this strange vision of farmers using their own fibre for connectivity – sitting around in working bees knitting their own network. Maybe just too fanciful.

Categories: Events | Fixed line carriers | Innovation | ISPs | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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2 comments

  • Bryan Spondre says:

    As the Digital Content Producer for http://www.interest.co.nz I totally agree that "the hinterland needs access to farmers as much as farmers need access to the hinterland." Our video content especially can only be accessed by broadband connected users, more uptake of broadband means more potential viewers and advertisers.

    Added: 24 June 2008, 12:43 p.m. Flag as Spam  |  Flag as Offensive

  • Steve says:

    Totally agree, farmers need bandwidth. But at what cost? a higher per user cost that is.

    Both the Queen St consultant and Farmer need the same bandwidth. For argument's sake lets say they even get the same $ benefit from bandwidth. But it costs a helluva lot more to get it to 100 Farmers, than 100 consultants on Queen St. So lets be realistic. Do the cost benefit analysis, and (if) when it is worth it, it gets done.

    And hey when it is worth it, the farmer will be willing to pay for it. If the farmer is not, then its more a matter of educating the farmer about the benefits of bandwidth rather than paying for the bandwidth he clearly doesn't know how to use.

    Added: 27 June 2008, 10:35 a.m. Flag as Spam  |  Flag as Offensive
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