Good response to call for broadband funding applications

Published: 15.10.2008

The Ministry has reported a strong response to the government’s call for applications to the Broadband Investment Fund (BIF). Applications closed at the end of September.

Many community groups worked with suppliers and local government to signal their interest in being involved in BIF programmes.

The Ministry received 19 full applications and 56 expressions of interest. Initial assessment showed a good geographical spread covering cities, provincial and rural areas, including a number of remote islands. Of the total of 19 full applications, 7 covered urban areas and 12 rural; of the 56 expressions of interest, 14 covered urban areas, 39 rural, 2 a combination and 1 was undefined.

A series of Local Government New Zealand-sponsored workshops was held around the country in September for those intending to submit applications. There was good feedback on the application process.

Applicants had the choice of filing full applications or expressions of interest. Decisions on full applications are due in early December. Those submitting expressions of interest will hear at the end of October whether they will be invited to submit a full application. They need to lodge their full applications by late February 2009, and will hear the result in May.
The names of organisations that will be invited to submit a full application will be posted at www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz as soon as those organisations have been informed.