Government approves $16m for broadband projects

The Government has announced five projects to improve broadband access would get $16.3 million in funding.

Communications Minister David Cunliffe said the applications for urban fibre network projects - under the $24 million Broadband Challenge Fund aimed at improving the availability and quality of broadband internet access - have been approved.

The applicants were based on Auckland's North Shore and in Hamilton, Hutt Valley-Porirua, Nelson-Marlborough and Christchurch.

"I have been impressed by the level of interest and willingness of local communities to invest in partnership with the government, to help meet their own broadband needs," Mr Cunliffe said.

The successful urban applicants and the level of funding approved, subject to finalising a funding agreement, were:

* North Shore City in association with Vector Communications Ltd ($4,640,625);

* Hamilton City Council ($3,290,625);

* Smartlinx 3 ($2,372,353);

* Nelson Marlborough Inforegion ($1,788,750);

* Canterbury Development Corporation ($4,218,750).

The funding programme, under the Government's Digital Strategy, aimed to see a series of urban fibre networks established by 2009, and the development of broadband internet access solutions for rural and poorly served communities.

- NZPA