Bold New Broadband Plan for Wellington
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Posted Wed 28 February 2007 @ 5:49 a.m. by Ernie Newman
The Wellington City Council has unveiled a plan to roll out fast Internet right through the city and suburbs. It will use the city's trolley bus wiring to extend the highly successful fibre network owned by Citylink beyond the CBD, to encompass the whole of the city and suburbs. Funding may involve a public private partnership. This has the potential to restore Wellington's position as New Zealand's leader in the race to be a true digital city.
TUANZ supported the Council last October, in the lead up to this announcement, by making a presentation to the mayor and councillors encouraging municipal broadband.
A great initiative - congratulations to the city council for its foresight and vision.
FOOTNOTE: On radio last night Mayor Kerry Prendergast was interviewed about the proposal. The opening question seemed a bit off the track to me. "We've seen a lot of problems with the trolley buses running late - will this make the problem worse?"
Can't you just see it - the 5.15pm trolley grinding up Glenmore Street and the driver apologising to the passengers - 'Sorry folks, a slow trip tonight, those pesky kids in Wadestown are downloading video clips again.'
Categories: Fixed line carriers | Innovation | ISPs | TUANZ policy