KEY POINTS:
Three of the four Auckland city councils are discussing a joint approach to hasten the provision of a faster, cheaper broadband service.
Until now, Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere have moved separately toward having digital communities, and Auckland City is ready to test market interest in its plan to provide a 100km fibre network backbone.
Meanwhile, regional economic development agency AucklandPlus has tried to link all local projects into a solid proposal.
The breakthrough in regional co-operation was revealed yesterday by Auckland City councillor Richard Northey.
He said a combined council approach might provide more security for private investors who would be needed to finance any Auckland urban fibre network plan (money would also be provided by the Government and ratepayers).
Postponing the $20 million project in favour of a joint effort to encourage action by the private sector, he said, would also reduce the risk of confusing and dividing the market.
Auckland City had aimed for 2010 to have its backbone network pass most suburban centres, major commercial centres, hospitals, schools, libraries and council offices.
The city's economic development and sustainable business committee, which Mr Northey heads, was told about an opportunity to link the three cities by leasing space for fibre in ducts along the rail corridor.
The ducts are being taken over by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.
If the ducts have spare capacity and can be leased on good terms, it would boost the network's potential and make it more attractive for private and Government investment.
"There are some exciting, tangible prospects for the early introduction of broadband to more areas of the city," said Mr Northey.
His committee has also approved a trial in laying micro-ducts - pipes laid in thin, shallow trenches - during footpath upgrades in Mt Eden and Epsom this month.
This was intended to allow operators to deliver fibre services to homes.
Putting micro-ducts under the pavement during work on the Newmarket business centre footpath was also being considered.
A further possibility is to have robot equipment install fibre cabling to the roof of large stormwater and sewer pipes.
In another move, the council has received 200 replies from organisations to its request for information on a high-speed wireless broadband to the city's CBD and fringe. The responses will be considered next month.
Internationally, councils are developing wireless access in partnership with broadband providers.
Link-up plans
* Auckland: Network through most suburban centres, major commercial centres, hospitals, schools, libraries and council offices by 2010.
* Manukau: Joint venture with high-speed wireless provider to council offices and nearby businesses.
* Waitakere: Information access framework to improve information, communications technology infrastructure and services.
* North Shore City Council: Government-supported joint venture with Vector to provide a 38km fibre network to 51 schools, six libraries and 15 council offices.
