BROADBAND MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER
Broadband fast Internet will be more accessible than ever as Telecom’s broadband roll out accelerates this month.
Telecom has reached agreement with the Government, as part of Project PROBE, to extend broadband coverage in the Waikato
Thames-Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne-Hawkes Bay, Otago, Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington-Kapiti-Horowhenua
and West Coast regions.
Using a combination of wired and wireless broadband technology, Telecom will extend coverage to approximately 260
schools by the end of June, Telecom Regional Manager Paul Deavoll said.
Work to extend broadband to more than 200 schools will be completed by the end of year. Already more than 900 schools in
Telecom PROBE regions have access to broadband.
This will increase Telecom’s overall broadband coverage to more than 95 percent of New Zealand lines.
Working with Communities
Telecom is also developing a programme with the regional broadband committees in the Telecom-PROBE regions.
The committees and Telecom are developing charters which will focus on the regions' economic, social and community
development needs. This could include extending broadband into "gap" areas, fibre extension and community pilots of
broadband applications for small businesses.
Xtra Wireless
Telecom is also able to reduce the price of Xtra Wireless 1000 and 2000 plans for customers in Telecom PROBE regions.
“Project PROBE in supporting the cost of extending broadband infrastructure to remote communities, is also ensuring
people living in those communities pay a similar price for these services as those in urban centres,” Telecom Regional
Manager Mr Paul Deavoll said.
The monthly plan charges for the Xtra Wireless plans will be reduced by $50 and the cost of installation and equipment
will be halved from $1,475 to $731.25.
Telecom Monthly plan charges for Xtra Wireless 1000 and 2000, including GST, will cost $59.95 and $69.95 a month
respectively, compared to the standard price of $109.95 and $119.95 a month. Megabytes used in excess of the plan
allowances of 1000 and 2000 MBs will cost 20 cents a MB.
The Government grant will enable Telecom to provide reduced prices to these Xtra Wireless customers for up to three
years or until customer numbers reach a cap agreed for each region.
Xtra Wireless is provided via Broadcast Communications Limited’s (BCL) wireless network while JetStream is provided over
Telecom’s existing network.
ENDS