Wireless broadband paper released

The Government has opened a new front in its bid to improve New Zealanders' access to broadband Internet.

Communications Minister David Cunliffe today released a discussion paper looking at how more of the radio spectrum could be allocated for wireless broadband Internet.

The Economic Development Ministry paper said new technologies could make the radio spectrum an extremely cost-effective competitor to existing cellular and hard-wired networks.

One possibility was digital TV operators providing broadband access through any spectrum left over.

In Korea this was already a reality.

Mr Cunliffe said part of improving New Zealand's poor broadband uptake and speeds was encouraging investment in alternatives to the copper-wire phone network.

Wireless technology was a competitive alternative, he said.

"Most of the services available on wired networks can now be accessed via wireless technologies."

Wireless technology was particularly useful in the final kilometre of delivering services to homes where lower traffic volumes meant other networks were not very cost effective.

- NZPA