The Commerce Commission is looking at the drivers of high-speed broadband uptake and barriers to consumer buy-in.  "Our aim is to promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users..." Telecommunications Commissioner Ross Patterson said in a statement.

In their first of three discussion documents, the Commerce Commission’s focus is on the technical issues that may limit demand for high speed broadband services.  Of the telco-internal issues explored, many are seen as not posing a significant problem.  However, there are two cost matters included in their technical issues document, that have significant consequences for rural users.

In enthusing about Apple’s newest iPhone last week, I received a range of comments back about the impact that broadband technologies will have on us as individuals.  The comments came from people in one of two camps.  Those who see the upside of the “broadband” society, and those who see the downside.

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving and for me this Christmas was an opportunity to get the technology present I really, really wanted.  It is not that I covet the iPhone because it is red-hot (it is) but more that the latest version represents a huge step towards making technology for people to use naturally, rather than making people in to technologists.  And I wanted to explore the opportunities this phone and the coming plethora of copy-cat devices offers in personal and on-farm productivity.

Harrisville School Principal Kris Burden is excited that ultra fast broadband is coming to her school.  Last week, contractors were seen installing ducts nearby with the fibre drop in to the school expected to be completed early in 2012.

Each year, IBM publishes a list of innovations that are likely to change our lives within the next 5 years.