As expected, the finance and infrastructure minister did not include any Crown fibre top up under a National Infrastructure Plan released this afternoon.Funds available for the ultrafast broadband project remain at “$1.5 billion Government investmen
As expected, the finance and infrastructure minister did not include any Crown fibre top up under a National Infrastructure Plan released this afternoon.
Funds available for the ultrafast broadband project remain at “$1.5 billion Government investment, which is expected to be at least matched by private sector investment.”
The leisurely timetable remains in place, as well, with target dates of 2016/17 for businesses, schools and health services to be connected under the public-private programme, and 2020 for connecting 75% of homes.
For those who see poor broadband as a business growth bottleneck, the schedule as as it stands is a disappointment.
Ray of hope
NBR understands, however, that there may be room to accelerate the schedule, depending on what Crown Fibre Holdings’ selected private investment partners bring to the table.
For those hoping for a whole new Crown infrastructure project - a second fibre optic cable out of New Zealand to break the 50% Telecom-owned Southern Cross Cable's monopoly on our internet connection to the outside world - there is, as expected, no news.
Crown Fibre Holdings said last week that it would announce a preliminary shortlist of co-investment partners “within a month”, and prepare its final shortlist by May. As yet, there is no timetable for naming the winners.
Telecom, Vector and TeamTalk (including CityLink) are among those vying for Crown fibre contracts.
The complete investment programme:
· State Highways: $10.7 billion over the next 10 years.
· National grid: $3.3 billion over the next five years.
· Urban broadband: $1.5 billion over the next 10 years.
· New schools and buildings: $2.7 billion allocated over next five years.
· Total Budget capital spending: $7.5 billion over five years.
MORE: English releases $6bn plan for infrastructure priorities
