Latest News items from Velocity Networks http://www.velocitynetworks.co.nz/industry-news.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 Directorof Velocity. "As the Minister states, this is too important to get wrong and the opportunity to work with aligned industry parties will enable us to deliver a better long term solution for Hamilton and the Waikato as well as providing access to the larger pool of funding signaled by the new government", says Bowcott. The BIF funding model seemed to favour more isolated urban networks without focussing on an interconnnected national solution, was complicated and only provided a small portion of funding required to make a real difference. It appears the National Government is now addressing these shortfalls with its approach of providing more funding and consulting directly with industry players. HFN was the recipient of a $3.3m grant under the previous Government which together with existing fibre optic network and cash contributions from the venture partners has been used to construct a new fibre optic network covering 45 kilometers around Hamilton City operated by Velocity Networks. HFN was also one of the few urban fibre network applicants to submit a full BIF application ready for immediate implementation rather than an Expression Of Interest (EOI) requiring further development. "The detailed planning we completed in that funding application puts us in a strong position to move positively and quickly. The Government and industry generally agree that a Public Private Partnership or PPP is the ideal model to move ahead with these types of initiatives and our existing structure has always been based on this approach." says Bowcott. "As the network operator, Velocity is continually surprised at just what our existing customers and service providers have been able to achieve when technical and commercial obstacles to broadband access are broken down. Our network passes thousands of addresses and has numerous customers representing a broad range of markets including major corporates, small and medium businesses, health, education, local government and other utility network operators”, said Shane Hobson, Business Development Manager of Velocity. Velocity’s plans include a gigabit capable ethernet schools loop that will be superior in both speed and quality to the copper or wireless solutions offered by any other providers and with the planned zero ongoing cost for schools will give them access to the kind of network speeds they need to make a real difference for our kids' education. Work on the loop has started with the fibre network being extended into Whitiora Primary School and Hamilton East Primary School enabling them to collaborate across the network to Southwell School and Hamilton Girls High School in real time. Connections to other schools will be dependent upon raising further funding from either local private sources or Government. “As the private party in the Hamilton venture we intend to be actively involved as we continue to develop our local network suitable for local requirements while ensuring it's a seamless part of a nationwide solution. We look forward to active engagement with the Government and co-operative industry players in the near future." says O'Donoghue. 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