Below is a copy of the letter sent by concerned industry groups to the government challenging the amendments to the Telecoms Bill.  Will it have the desired effect of making the government stop and think about the views of the industry?  Given Mr Joyce's announced intent to see the Bill passed, it appears not, but...

The clamorous disquiet over the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband and Other Matters) Bill will still be ringing in the Minister's ear.   But even though Telecom NZ was the only submitter to support the Bill, Mr Joyce remains intransigent in his vision of how New Zealand must be given access to the world's information superhighway.  He remains adamant that the Telecoms Bill will pass in to law.

The continuing industry criticism has now turned to calls to stop and take a fresh look at how $1.8Bn of taxpayer's funds is spent.  Last week, Rural Connect again suggested taking a community, rather than a national 'big company', approach to the provision of high speed broadband to under-served rural communities.  

The hotly contested Ultra Fast broadband (UFB) project took another positive turn on Tuesday when the government agency Crown Fibre Holdings announced that local lines company Counties Power, was back in the running for a share of the $1.5Bn project.  This follows last month’s announcement that Vector was similarly selected for prioritised UFB negotiations covering the Auckland City area.

The first UFB program agreement was announced today by the Minister for ICT.  Whangarei and central Waikato town are to have the new fibre roll out commencing before Christmas!  Alas Counties Power's involvement in the UFB was not included in this announcement - we continue to hope that that announcement will come soon!

Read the full announcement here