Monday, November 27, 2006
It is my great pleasure to here today for the launch of the Broadband Challenge Fund.
Hutt City Council was delighted when Smartlinx3 was announced as one of the successful applicants for funding under the Government’s Broadband Challenge.
The Council has made improving broadband services for our community a top priority.
We believe faster, cheaper broadband is absolutely critical for the future success of Hutt City’s economy and our ability to retain businesses as well as attract new ones.
This is supported by both the Wellington Regional Strategy, which identifies broadband as one the main factors contributing to economic growth in the region and also the Government’s Digital Strategy, which promotes connection for local communities through local broadband initiatives.
And economic growth leads to more jobs, making Hutt City an attractive place in which to live and raise a family.
The Council already makes use of the Smartlinx3 network for the delivery of internet services, while other services, for example, access to Council’s IT systems and EFTPOS, is delivered using the Smartlinx3 network at most of our pools, libraries, museums and other remote sites.
Further, we are currently investigating using the Smartlinx3 network for operating security cameras in some of the city’s suburban shopping centres.
Much can be achieved through collaboration and partnerships, as the Broadband Challenge shows.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government for working with us to provide our community with a broadband infrastructure.
I also want to acknowledge our Smartlinx3 partners, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust, and a number of private sector investors in our community.
We are also currently working with our sister city, Tempe City in the United States, to emulate their success in the provision of broadband.
We are excited to be part of the Broadband Challenge Fund and we look forward to the benefits it will bring to our city.
Thank you.