Media Release
10 October 2003
Prime Minister switches on Southland to high-speed Internet age through Woosh Wireless
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, today linked the remote community of Tuatapere, with Woosh Wireless in
Auckland through the first high-speed wireless Internet connection from the region.
The first contract awarded for the Government’s Provincial Broadband Extension (Project PROBE) is now being rolled out
by New Zealand-owned Woosh Wireless, supported by Vodafone New Zealand and promoted by Venture Southland.
The new service will not only provide service to 100 percent of the schools but will enable Southland communities to
simply plug a small modem into a portable or desktop computer to gain high-speed, broadband access to the Internet.
Woosh Wireless Chief Executive, Bob Smith, said Woosh was all about giving Southlanders an efficient and time-saving
service. “Woosh means that service is stress free and up to ten times faster than that currently on offer.
“The new Woosh service truly changes the telecommunications industry by leapfrogging the traditional fixed line service.
This is because true broadband speeds can now be achieved with a wireless service with all its advantages, including
portability.”
“Woosh has been designed to provide affordable broadband from $64.95 per month. It is easy to get, easy to use, and easy
to take with you. Also we will soon be offering toll free telephone services to areas of Southland that are within the
Woosh network.”
Woosh has also been selected as the preferred supplier in the Wairarapa/Tararua and Northland regions as part of the
Government’s PROBE initiatives.
Woosh has launched in Auckland and will be rolling out its network in Wellington and Christchurch in the coming year.
end