Importance of improved rural broadband

KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2015 highlights the importance of improved rural broadband

Today’s release at NZ National Field Days by TUANZ member, KPMG, of the Agribusiness Agenda 2015 highlights the importance of improving access in the rural sector to high speed broadband. The Agenda notes that since the last release in 2014 there has been an increased priority attached to delivering high speed rural broadband. This year it has risen four places in a list of strategic issues of concern to be the second equal along with food safety. The first issue of concern being ensuring a world-class biosecurity system.

Ian Proudfoot, KPMG Global Head of Agribusiness, said that “Fast connectivity in rural areas not only supports economic growth. It enhances healthcare delivery, overcomes isolation, and enables the unemployed to develop skills and become productive.”

“This recognition of this issue by rural thought leaders who contributed to the Agenda, shows the importance that we must continue to focus on ways to improve rural connectivity beyond where it is today.” said Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ. “This publication supports the messages we heard at our recent Rural Connectivity Symposium that it is time to recognise rural broadband needs are no different to urban needs.”

“We will be submitting on the MBIE request for information process to ensure a strong rural user voice is heard when deciding where to spend the current $100m allocated to extend the rural broadband initiative.. But this report also reiterates rural NZs call for continued improvement beyond current plans.” Mr Young said.

TUANZ has identified that working to help lift the digital competency of the New Zealand economy is one of its principles, and advocating the continued investment in improving rural broadband is a key element to this.

The full KPMG Agribusiness Agenda can be downloaded from this website www.kpmg.com/nz/

ENDS

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