New Zealand - Ultra-Fast Broadband Network - Overview & Analysis

Synopsis

The New Zealand government has given further details on the policies it announced earlier this year regarding its $1.5 billion investment in a national ultra-fast broadband network. The plan has received widespread support. Based on a wholesale-only open network the new infrastructure will set the country up for the new direction that is being taken in telecommunications - from a telephone, and in recent times an Internet, network to essential infrastructure for a range of other economic and social sectors. But the policy lacks details about the demands on the infrastructure from the healthcare, education and energy sectors, all of which are under the direct control of the government. These ‘content’ components need to be developed parallel to the infrastructure.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Key details of the government’s plans
• 3. BuddeComm high-level analysis
  • 3.1 General comments
  • 3.2 Missing: trans-sector policies
• 4. Broader economic and social benefits
  • 4.1 Fundamental change to the economy
  • 4.2 Economic innovation and national purpose
  • 4.3 Savings can pay for infrastructure
• 5. Crown Fibre Holdings (CFH)
  • 5.1 An infrastructure company
  • 5.2 The role of CFH/LFCs
  • 5.3 Service oriented architecture
  • 5.4 Governance and management
• 6. The backbone network
• 7. The role of Telecom
  • 7.1 Learning from similar international projects
  • 7.2 The reality of existing infrastructure
  • 7.3 Telstra and KPN are the international leaders
  • 7.4 Governments need to work with incumbents
  • 7.5 The debate the country needs to have
• 8. Related reports