Solutions to rural technology problem may lie in Australian experience
It is extremely important that rural areas receive an upgrade in telecommunications, National's Rural Affairs Spokesman
Shane Ardern said today.
"The value of internet access to the rural community must not be understated."
"It's imperative that people in rural areas have the same telecommunication options as their urban counterparts, so that
they can remain informed and competitive - and confront the challenges presented by rural depopulation.
"The Australian Government has been working with Telstra to help solve similar problems in their more isolated
communities and I am investigating whether their solutions would work in New Zealand.
"In our modern technological age there is no excuse for leaving out a vital area of New Zealand. Rural people are the
main contributors to our economy and they must have available modern technology links," Mr Ardern said.
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