Nelson wireless provider outguns outsiders

By ADAM GIFFORD

A Nelson wireless internet provider, ThePacific.net, has beaten competition from outsiders to win the right to collect Government subsidies to supply fast internet access to remote Nelson and Marlborough schools.

The Government yesterday announced preferred suppliers in four more Project Probe (provincial broadband extension) regions.

Woosh Wireless, which last week launched the first point of presence in its Southland Probe roll-out, is the preferred supplier in Canterbury.

Telecom, in association with Broadcast Communications (BCL), is responsible for delivering broadband in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne-Hawkes Bay regions.

ThePacific.net chief executive Steve Christie said the entry of a subsidised competitor could have threatened the viability of his fledgling company, whose "wi-fi" network serviced about 200 mainly business customers in Nelson and Motueka.

The company is owned by Buller Electricity in Westport and Nelson internet service provider Tasman Solutions.

Christie said while wi-fi would provide last mile connectivity, ThePacific.net would be able to use the fibre backbone being rolled out by lines company Network Tasman.

The Government is still to announce who will provide a satellite service to remote areas.

It will also announce preferred tenderers for Auckland, Manawatu, Otago and West Coast during the next couple of months.

Walker Wireless chairman Rod Inglis said Woosh needed to manage expectations, as it was not possible to roll out a network overnight.

Telecom chief executive Theresa Gattung said the Probe funding would allow Telecom to extend broadband coverage to 90 per cent of homes and businesses in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay and 91 per cent in the Bay of Plenty.

Telecom's Jetstream was already available to 85 per cent of New Zealand customers.

For areas beyond the reach of the Jetstream digital subscriber line technology, Telecom has teamed up with state-owned transmission company BCL to provide a wireless broadband service.

Project probe


Contracts awarded


* Bay of Plenty: Telecom/BCL

* Waikato: Telecom/BCL

* Hawkes Bay: Telecom/BCL

* Taranaki: Telecom/BCL

* Wellington: Telecom/BCL

* Northland: Woosh/Vodafone

* Wairarapa: Woosh/Vodafone

* Canterbury: Woosh/Vodafone

* Southland: Woosh/Vodafone

* Nelson: ThePacific.net


Contracts remaining

* Auckland

* Manawatu

* West Coast

* Otago