Latest News items from Velocity Networks http://www.velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php For your convenience, Velocity has set up two Twitter accounts: a) http://twitter.com/VelocityFaults, b) http://twitter.com/VelocityNews... http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/network-updates-news-twitter.php "Hamilton Fibre Network Ltd and its Network Operator, Velocity Networks Ltd supports the Government's decision to withdraw the BIF funding model and Digital Development Council to work directly with those parties involved in the network business", said Blair Bowcott Chairman of HFN and John O'Donoghue, Managing Director of Velocity... http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/hamilton-fibre-line.php Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce has today moved to clear the decks of the previous Government's broadband programmes in preparation for the next move towards the roll-out of ultra fast broadband. http://beehive.govt.nz/release/government+readies+new+moves+broadband A Fibre to the home rollout in New Zealand will be beset with challenges that cast doubt on the viability of some of the proposals, an InternetNZ report released this week shows. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/86F0A6BC9DAEBF9ACC25752300699C1F Pipe Networks’ planned cable between Australia, the US and Asia, called PPC-1, will go ahead after the company rescheduled payments with suppliers. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/F3046BF13FECD4C5CC25752400052ACC New Zealand is finally catching up with the rest of the world in terms of broadband penetration, with strong subscriber growth predicted to continue into 2009. However, low broadband access speeds and high costs relative to other OECD nations, still are proving to be major stumbling blocks for the development of local digital media activities. http://www.buddeblog.com.au/mobile-broadband-developments-in-new-zealand/ One of the flagships of government’s efforts to centralise procurement and to use its buying power to spur network investment, the Government Shared Network (GSN), is under review. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/CAC2F32D1688A0B0CC257511006DAB92 A prominent infrastructure consultant argues lines companies such as Vector, rather than Telecom, are better placed to roll out fibre-optic cable as part of the nation’s imminent push to expand broadband coverage, speed and service. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/lines-companies-rather-telecom-roll-out-new-billion-dollar-fibre-network-37304 If they build it, Freeview will come. General manager Steve Browning says if the government's proposed fibre optic to the home broadband network reaches 75% of the country by 2011 as promised, he'll happily move Freeview to fibre - which could spell dire news for Kordia. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/freeview-eyes-govts-15-billion-fibre-network-38107 Over the next few months National will be keen to obtain some quick wins. Broadband is an area where a difference can be made quickly but there are some big questions to answer to clear the current uncertainty. http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/rod-drury/don-t-squander-broadband-opportunity The National-led government will face an uphill battle persuading financial analysts it is serious about its plans for a $3 billion open access fibre network, co-funded by taxpayers, despite more pieces of the jigsaw falling into place. http://www.businessday.co.nz/industries/telco_it/4763655 Thirty-six broadband investors in limbo as fund's fate decided http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/45BCE087B639F1B3CC257503001BBB1B TelstraClear partners with North Power for Whangarei fibre network. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/45BCE087B639F1B3CC257503001BBB1B The Hamilton fibre network is one of the seven contenders for the urban fund. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/broadband+investment+fund+oversubscribed National leader John Key has promised to spend at least $150 million over the next three years to gear schools up for the arrival of ultra-fast fibre broadband http://www.3news.co.nz/Politics/Story/tabid/419/articleID/78586/Default.aspx The Ministry of Economic Development has reported a strong response to the government's call for applications to the Broadband Investment Fund (BIF). Applications closed at the end of September. http://www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz/Resources/Latest-ICT-news-current-events/Next-phase-of-broadcasting-review-announced/ Today Microsoft announced New Zealand high performance computing company, NetValue as a High Performance Computing (HPC) Partner and a Microsoft High Potential Managed Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Partner at a Leading Financial Services Conference on Wall Street. Based on Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008, NetValue has created its software solution, SLIM Search to enable its customers to undertake genomic searching without the use of supercomputers. http://www.netvalue.net.nz/news/view/2 Velocity Networks Ltd & Hamilton Fibre Network Ltd declared as Network Operators by Parliament pursuant to Telecommunications Act 2001. http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/Page____4139.aspx PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#17-July-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#15-June-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#15-May-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#22-April-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#22-April-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#18-April-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#26-March-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#March-2008 PDF of article available. http://velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.php#15-April-2007