Connecting some of the district’s most isolated areas is underway.

The Rural Connectivity Group has begun work to establish 11 new sites to improve broadband and mobile infrastructure in some of Wairoa’s most isolated areas.

The group is solely focused on building infrastructure which will connect rural people with 450 new mobile and broadband sites scheduled to be built by December 2022.

The project acknowledges that connecting rural New Zealand is a challenging task due to rugged terrain, low population numbers and the cost of building and operating a network in remote places.

It also recognises better mobile phone and high-speed broadband services are critical for daily life in rural New Zealand.

The group was established last year and is funded from the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative Phase 2 and the Mobile Blackspot programmes and includes contributions from Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees.

Already $290 million has been committed with a further $100 million under discussion.

As well as wireless broadband delivered over the 4G mobile network the plan targets mobile black spots including State Highways and tourist hot spots.

Due to the collaboration between the three mobile network operators and advancements in technology, the cell sites will be smaller, smarter and more efficient.

Initially, the project will improve mobile coverage along parts of 32 rural State Highways and over 100 tourism sites.

New Zealand’s connectivity will increase by 25 percent once the project is complete.

The group’s engagement manager, former Wairoa woman Caitlin Metz, said the district would benefit significantly from the programme.

“Our aim is to connect rural New Zealand though collaboration from rural communities, landowners, local businesses, Councils, iwi, DoC, NZTA as well as the group’s suppliers and mobile network operators.”

Ms Metz, who recently presented the project to the Wairoa District Council, said it is great to have an enthusiastic Council which is helping to enable the connectivity.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he has continually lobbied to have improved connectivity in the district. It has always been important to bridge the rural versus urban digital divide, and this programme is a big part of that.

“It’s pleasing to see progress occurring in areas like Wairoa, which we know are challenging due to the vastness of the terrain and low population.

“This Government seems to realise it is just as important for people who live in smaller rural areas as it is for people in the city.”

Council chief executive Steven May said this project, along with the ongoing fibre rollout, ensures Wairoa can do business with the world.

“This connectivity means people can live where they want to and work how they want to and not be disadvantaged.”

The local sites identified for broadband and mobile facilities are Frasertown, Putere Road, Whakaki, Ohuka, Cricklewood Station and Waihua Beach and just mobile sites at Mahia, Putorino, Smyth Road and Riverina Road.

With Wairoa RBI coverage attached below.

The Wairoa district’s connectivity will dramatically improve with red shading showing the anticipated new Rural Connectivity Group coverage and blue shading the existing mobile network operator coverage.

31 October 2018

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