A few weeks ago, I announced details of a $24m contestable fund for cities and regions - the Broadband Challenge - as part of the government's Digital Strategy. It provides funding to encourage the development of open access networks to accelerate the high-speed broadband links so crucial to our economic and societal future.
A few weeks ago, I announced details of a $24m contestable fund for cities and regions - the Broadband Challenge - as part of the government's Digital Strategy. It provides funding to encourage the development of open access networks to accelerate the high-speed broadband links so crucial to our economic and societal future.
The inaugural Digital Cities & Regional Networks conference, being held November 23 in Wellington, provides a valuable opportunity and learn more about the Broadband Challenge fund and Community Partnership Fund, designed to encourage grassroots IT initiatives.
The conference will showcase some of those who have championed open access high-speed networks at home and abroad.
Chairing the conference will be former Wellington mayor Fran Wilde who helped create the CityLink network nearly 10 years ago. We now urgently need similar leadership at a council and community level across all our centres to match government's support platform.
The Digital Cities conference will include a range of speakers and panels to help to understand the opportunities, the possible partnerships, costs and benefits.
I would welcome a strong attendance by those who want to help create a world-class broadband infrastructure so crucial for our country's growth.
I hope to see you at the Michael Fowler Centre on November 23.
David Cunliffe
Hon. David Cunliffe, Information Technology Minister
21 October 2005