Govt broadband decision delayed two months

Decisions on the Government's $1.5 broadband investment initiative are to be delayed for two months, Communications Minister Steven Joyce said today.

In notes for a speech to a conference in Christchurch, Mr Joyce said the Government was still committed to rolling out ultra fast broadband to 75 per cent of the population over the next ten years.

"We've set aside up to $1.5 billion for this and we expect that to be at least matched by private sector investment," Mr Joyce said.

"What has also become increasingly evident is the complexity of the challenge and the interlocking set of issues that need to be incorporated into the plan."

The Government had been planning to make announcements in mid-June, but "given the volume and complexity of issue I have decided to take a couple of months longer. My view is that it is better to take the time to get it right."

- NZPA