Rural Broadband Initiative - Federated Farmers

FACT SHEET
TELEPHONE 0800 327 646 I WEBSITE WWW.FEDFARM.ORG.NZ
RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE - THE BASICS
BACKGROUND
The government has selected Telecom and Vodafone to deliver improved broadband services to
rural New Zealand. Negotiations have been finalised and telecommunications infrastructure will be
deployed in rural areas over the coming years. The construction of the broadband network may
require the use of private property.
WHAT IS THE RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE?
The Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) is one of two government initiatives aimed at improving the
quality and coverage of telecommunications infrastructure and broadband services throughout New
Zealand. The Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative will focus on servicing urban areas while the RBI
will focus on servicing rural areas.
In total the Government is committing over $1.6 billion to enable both the UFB and RBI roll-outs. Of
this, roughly $300 million is dedicated to the RBI. Both urban and rural projects will also involve
considerable private sector investment.
FEDERATED FARMERS OF NEW ZEALAND’S
POSITION ON THE RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE
Federated Farmers is a supporter of the RBI, and has worked hard to get the best deal for rural
areas. Since the inception of the RBI, Federated Farmers has challenged the government to be
ambitious in its rural broadband objectives. The original proposal from government was direct
funding of $48 million. This clearly was not good enough and so the Federation asked for more.
The government listened and this is why they are committing $300 million to the rollout of high
speed broadband in rural areas.
While the increased funding was an important recognition of the significance of broadband for rural
New Zealanders, Federated Farmers continues to work to ensure that the allocated $300 million is
spent in a way that will produce the greatest benefits to rural communities.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RURAL BROADBAND?
Broadband is an enabling technology that people in rural areas stand to benefit the most from with
the roll-out of improved telecommunications services. Through connecting businesses, schools
and communities with the world, fast broadband can encourage significant regional economic
development by removing the digital divide affecting over one million rural New Zealanders. In the
modern environment, fast and reliable broadband access is necessary for agricultural businesses
to reach their productive potential and realise the full range of opportunities in the global
marketplace.
An internet connection has quickly become a critical farming tool. The agricultural industry
continues to develop into a highly technological sector of the economy, and as such fast and
reliable data transfer is essential. There can be little doubt that businesses and communities who
have access to high quality broadband will leverage off this technology and use its potential to
grow and prosper.
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Fact Sheet 2012_1

DELIVERY OF BROADBAND SERVICES TO RURAL AREAS
The RBI is a national initiative which will see the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure to the
regions. To meet the RBI targets, a significant amount of new telecommunications infrastructure
will be deployed. This infrastructure will be a mix of fibre-optic cable, wireless and mobile towers,
and cabinets. The roll out will occur simultaneously in a number of locations across the country.
Most of the new fibre cable will be situated on the road reserve. However, some fibre may have to
pass through, or all towers be situated, on private property. In this instance, the
telecommunications company will, by way of an easement agreement or a lease agreement, need
to purchase certain property rights from the landowner.
Federated Farmers has developed sound knowledge of easement provisions and how they affect
landowners, principally through advising landowners that are negotiating easements for public
infrastructure such as electricity lines and gas pipelines.
The Federation has used its knowledge and expertise to develop a toolkit that provides
independent advice to assist landowners in their negotiations with telecommunications companies.
CONTACT
Federated Farmers of New Zealand fact sheets are produced for our members by the Federation as a quick and easy
reference guide to general information on topics of interest. If you wish to reproduce the information please ensure that
you provide appropriate acknowledgement of the Federation as the source.
To either seek further advise on information on the material contained in this fact sheet or to order a contract or
agreement ring 0800 327 646.
The information contained within these fact sheets should not be relied upon in lieu of legal advice. If you require
specialised legal advice, please contact Federated Farmers’ team of employment lawyers and OSH specialists.
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Fact Sheet 2012_1