Dunedin needs to show a big increase in its uptake of gigabit internet speeds if it is to capitalise on its Gigatown win, Communications Minister Amy Adams says.
National gigabit uptake was about 13.8% in March this year. At the same time, Dunedin's uptake was slightly lower, about 13.5%.
But the Government expected Dunedin to be ''right up front'' in the charge to utilise the technology, Ms Adams said.
To do that, Dunedin businesses needed to better understand what the technology meant and how it could both drive down overheads and increase market access, she said.
While early indications from Dunedin were positive, there was much more that could happen.
''This is the best opportunity Dunedin has had in many years.''
Ultra-fast internet was to economic development today what the opening up of rail networks was years ago, she said, and smaller centres were particularly well placed to benefit from the technology.
It allowed their businesses to compete head-to-head with those carrying far higher overheads in larger cities, while providing access to a much wider market.
Dunedin had a culture of innovation and creative thinking and ''really came together'' during the Gigatown competition, but the city's challenge now was to make sure that momentum did not slip away, she said.
''Dunedin needs to show the country and the world what they can do with it.''
