New Milestone For The City With Introduction Of Fast Internet Access

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis is welcoming the introduction of JetStream to the suburb of Dannemora in Botany. Residents and businesses will have access to it from the beginning of October.

He says he looks forward to the day when all of Manukau has the same access to the fast internet broadband technology, as it is a vital part of planning for the next stage of progress in the city.

Telecom’s JetStream has download speeds of up to 50 times faster than a standard dial-up internet connection. Users can talk on the phone at the same time as they surf the net, and downloading of information is much faster than with the former internet technology.

Telecom and Manukau City Council have been working together on the introduction of broadband to Dannemora.

Sir Barry says, “Under the SmartManukau strategy, we are aiming for Manukau to become a “wired” city, with every household and business having access to the fastest, most efficient and advanced communications technology. Currently, that means broadband.

“It is a huge leap forward. It’s like moving up from a bicycle to a car.”

The benefits of JetStream include new home business opportunities, remote working and new educational opportunities at home and in schools.

“As a Council our aim is for every street to be wired for broadband, as well as other technologies that have yet to appear. We want to have “future-proofed” telecommunications provision which is flexible and adaptable, although the exact nature of that technology hasn’t yet been decided. It may be wireless or it may be via copper wiring, for example.

“Our libraries will have the same technology as part of their new role in the community. They’re changing from being just collections of books, magazines and CDs into telecommunication-based community learning centres.

“In doing so, they are becoming education resources supporting students young and old as they study for qualifications, up skill themselves or simply learn more about their world via technology.

“In cooperation with other agencies in the city we’re also supporting the government’s Project Probe, which aims to connect every school, not just here but throughout the country.

At the moment the penetration rate in Manukau schools is 83 per cent, which is one of the highest rates in New Zealand.

“Ours is a very young population – around a third or our residents are under 20. And the young are taking to the new technologies faster than any age other group.

“Manukau must become a wired city to move ahead and the Council is determined to play its part,” Sir Barry says.

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