Hastings District Supports Governments Rural Broadband Proposal

Hastings’ Mayor Lawrence Yule fully supports the Government rural broadband announcement which makes rural deployment of ultra-fast broadband to schools a priority.

 

“Our rural communities make a huge contribution to New Zealand’s economy and for a number of years we have sought prioritisation of high-speed broadband capability into the rural areas,” Mayor Yule says.

 

Hastings District Council has been working hard to broker high-speed broadband in Hawke’s Bay, as part of a group including other local authorities and business representatives.

 

“We have been mindful of balancing the costs of providing high-speed to low-population density areas with the need for a balanced technology approach.

 

“The Government has proposed installing ultra-fast broadband to 97% of schools and I think that is an appropriate balance. Having rural schools as a high-speed delivery point greatly strengthens the delivery capability beyond schools; penetrating deeper into the rural sector and serving farming enterprises”.

 

Access to modern high-speed telecommunications services is critical to rural New Zealand as increasingly farmers are expected to operate their businesses in a digital environment.

 

“Communication is hampered by reliance on increasingly antiquated infrastructure, with dial-up speeds or satellite technology being the only means for many rural students, communities and businesses to connect to the wider world,” Mayor Yule says.

 

Mayor Yule applauds the policy proposal because at long last the economic significance of the rural sector’s importance is being reflected in Government’s thinking.