Telecom and Vodafone have revealed all but four rural schools in Otago will receive ultrafast broadband within the next four years as part of the Government's Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).
Vodafone wholesale and business development general manager Steve Rieger said the RBI programme would provide 100 megabits per second (mbs) to 95% of rural schools and hospitals nationwide, and 5mbs to more than 80% of rural households within the next six years.
For schools and hospitals, the 100mbs meant they would be able to conduct video conferences, use e-learning tools and share and access extensive knowledge bases, he said.
With 5mbs, rural households would be able to browse content-rich websites such as online banking and shopping, watch video, and send and receive large files.
Macraes Moonlight, Makarora, Paerau and Tahakopa schools will not receive ultrafast broadband because there are only 36 pupils at the schools and they are too remote. These schools will receive a 10mbs service through other means.
Telecom community relations head Paul Leslie said Telecom and Vodafone were investing in, and delivering, the RBI in partnership with the Government by extending their existing fixed and mobile networks, with the combined investment into rural broadband costing about $500 million.
Mr Leslie said Telecom's network business, Chorus, would lay 55km of fibreoptic cable in the next 12 months.
Mr Rieger said Vodafone would upgrade 29 of its existing cell sites, and build seven cell sites at Kaitangata, Weston, Evansdale East, Maheno, Naseby, Owaka and Ophir during the next four years.
The Government has made it clear that connecting those living outside the main centres was hugely important to the future growth and success of New Zealand's economy.
Between July 1 this year and June 30 next year, Dunstan Hospital and about 2300 pupils at 29 rural schools in Otago will be among the first in New Zealand to receive 100mbs through fibre-optic cable.
Over the following three years, a further 370 pupils at nine rural schools will receive the service through fibreoptic cable, and a further four will receive the service through digital microwave radio because they are remote and cable is less viable.
Makarora School principal Lynley Ward was disappointed her school would miss out on ultrafast broadband, but understood the reasoning behind the decision.
"They would have to recable 60km from Wanaka up to here. It's a long way and a huge cost.
"But given our isolation, you would think we would be one of the first places to get ultrafast broadband, not one of the last."
Ms Ward said the school had been equipped with satellite communication, and it was hoped a faster service would be implemented in the future, because "it takes a long time to download files".
Otago Primary Principals' Association chairwoman Bernadette Newlands believed the rural upgrade would bring the world to country schools, as well as a greater equity between town schools and country schools.
"The average wait to open a website for a pupil at a country school can take ages - minutes. It's much slower.
"That puts kids off computers," Ms Newlands said.
"Ultrafast broadband has certainly made a big difference to learning in city schools."
Otago rural schools receiving ultrafast broadband
Year 1: Ardgowan School, Blue Mountain College, Clinton School, Clutha Valley School, Clyde School, Duntroon School, Five Forks School, Hampden School, Hawea Flat School, Kaitangata School, Kakanui School, Maheno School, Millers Flat School, Omakau School, Omarama School, Outram School, Papakaio School, Purakanui School, Romahapa School, Stirling School, Tarras School, The Catlins Area School, Totara School, Waihola District School, Waitaki Valley School, Waitati School, Waiwera South School, Warrington School, Weston School.
Year 2: Flag Swamp School, Taieri Beach School, Waikoikoi School, Waitahuna School, Warepa School.
Year 3: Health Camp School (Otago-Southland), Heriot School, Karitane School.
Year 4: Lawrence Area School. Glenorchy School, Lee Stream School, Poolburn School and Strath Taieri School will receive the service through Digital Microwave Radio (DMR) because they are remote and cable is less viable.
