3. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Communications and Information Technology
What progress has the Government made on rolling out ultra-fast broadband in Wellington?
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Communications and Information Technology) Link to this
Good news. I was delighted to attend the commencement of the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband in Wellington just last week in the Lower Hutt suburb of Kelson. In the next 12 months, over 9,000 premises across Wellington will be passed with new fibre, which when combined with existing fibre will total around 29,000 priority users in homes covered in the first year. This excellent progress in Wellington is just one part of the wider national roll-out that is currently seeing broadband deployment already under way in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Whanganui.
By the time the roll-out is completed in Wellington, fibre will cover a population of almost 390,000 people, as well as 7,900 business premises, many schools, and more than 1,500 medical and other health care services. Fibre with ultra-fast capability will mean business people, innovators, and entrepreneurs in our capital city grant will have a platform from which to compete with anyone anywhere in the world. In addition, we are boosting retail competition by ensuring the newly built network is open to retailers on equal terms. Wholesale prices will be as low as half the current price for business services, and residential customers will enjoy a vastly improved service for as much as they currently pay, or less.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Amongst the good news was there the fact that the broadband is broad enough to get the very big message to Katrina Shanks that the Prime Minister supports Peter Dunne?
Mr SPEAKERHon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The capacity of broadband to get big messages through the system is something that is certainly his responsibility.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What progress is expected on connecting marae, rūnanga, kōhanga reo, and wānanga with ultra-fast broadband?
Under the ultra-fast broadband programme these are all priority users for fibre to the home and they will be provided, by the end of 2015, right across the country. Also, under the rural broadband programme further marae will be connected, as well. The Government is continuing to work with Ngā Pū Waea to maximise the benefit of the ultra-fast broadband to iwi, hapū, and whānau. Once again, I take the opportunity to thank the Māori Party for its support in ensuring that this transformational programme for New Zealand is proceeding on time and quickly, to the country’s benefit.