Rural Broadband Symposium

TUANZ Media Release: Closing the urban and rural digital divide

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TUANZ Media Release: Closing the urban and rural digital divide

The Tech Users Association (TUANZ) supports a call for high-quality connectivity to be prioritised by the Government as a utility, a newly published report says.

“The last two years of pandemic disruptions have highlighted the importance of high-quality connectivity when it comes to how we work, learn, do business and socialise remotely,” says Craig Young, CEO, TUANZ.

“While urban New Zealand has enjoyed a seamless experience, rural, sub-rural and remote users have not always experienced the same standard of connectivity.”

“The issue of improving rural connectivity is still too important to give up on.  There’s a strong need for high-quality connectivity on the farm, the marae, in the classroom and on the move.”

“Although there has been progress toward ubiquitous coverage of quality connectivity, there are still challenges that need to be solved.  This includes educating people on what is readily available and cross-sector collaboration to provide affordable solutions.”

Insights from the 2022 Rural Connectivity Symposium (RCS) have been published by the Tech Users Association (TUANZ).  The Rural Connectivity Symposium 2022 Communique highlights current efforts, challenges, future solutions and what’s next.

Key themes include:

  1. Prioritising high-quality connectivity as a necessary core service or utility.
  2. Ensuring the rural experience is on par with urban coverage, capacity and affordability.
  3. An end-user-focused approach with greater emphasis on the socioeconomic returns of providing connectivity to remote and isolated areas.
  4. Prioritising the roll out of a publicly available national connectivity register.
  5. Supporting a focussed awareness programme to educate communities on the available opportunities.

“Ultimately, we need to look at connectivity holistically in terms of affordability, use, skills, digital literacy and value. There’s also a strong need to ensure the best support and information is available to rural New Zealanders within their own communities so they can be informed consumers,” he says.

View the report here

For further comment or interview, please contact Craig Young

Phone: 021 488 188

Email: craig.young@tuanz.org.nz

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WHO IS TUANZ?

The Tech Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) is helping Kiwis make the most of our digitally connected world.  TUANZ has been representing users of communications and digital technology for more than 35 years.

Our vision is for New Zealand to be a top 10 digital ready nation by 2030.
We are the independent voice of our members and all users in a complex digital world. We know that access to technology is key to digital business and force for social good and we are here to help our members make sense of the digital future.

We are a powerful channel to decision-makers and developing leaders in this sector.

We have a highly engaged community of over 1,400 individuals working in our member organisations in roles that use or are responsible for digital technology.

www.tuanz.org.nz

TUANZ Media Release: Improving rural connectivity too important to give up on!

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 24th May 2022

 

The last two years have shown the true value of high-quality connectivity as we dealt with a global pandemic. But while urban New Zealand has been able to deal with the changes without missing a beat, in rural New Zealand users have battled the same debilitating connectivity issues. The demand for uninterrupted, high-speed internet access has never been higher; if not addressed rural communities and businesses – will continue to be disadvantaged.

 

With the country now being in the orange traffic light setting, TUANZ is again hosting the Rural Connectivity Symposium for the first time in person since 2019. This event provides a forum where we can meet together to share stories, both positive and negative, of the state of rural connectivity.  

 

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says, “The topic of improving rural connectivity is still too important to give up on. 2022 will give us the chance again to sit down, reset the dialogue around the next steps for connectivity and imagine what could be if we saw continued real improvements to rural services.”

 

In 2022 TUANZ is partnering with the Wireless ISP Association (WISPA) to offer a two-day event around the theme of “Imagine if…”

 

Day One, Tuesday 14th June, will start with a WISPA member-only morning which will include their AGM. The afternoon session on day one will be a time to set the scene, including updating everyone on progress in improving rural connectivity since the last time we were able to meet.

 

Day Two, Wednesday 15th June, will then focus on the future around four specific ‘communities’ – on the farm, on the Marae, in the classroom, and on the move.

 

Confirmed speakers for the event include Hon David Clark, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Graeme Mitchell, CEO of Crown Infrastructure Partners, Richard Mooney, Chief Strategy Officer at Vodafone, Antony Royal, CEO at the Interim Māori Spectrum Commission and Dr Wayne Williams, CEO of the 2020 Trust.

 

The event will be held at the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton on Tuesday14th June and Wednesday 15th June.

 

TUANZ invites people who work or live in rural communities, along with anyone interested in the future of rural connectivity to register to participate.  

 

For more information visit or to register to attend visit: https://tuanz.org.nz/rural-connectivity-symposium-2022/ 

 

Media are invited to attend and should contact the TUANZ CEO, Craig Young directly (craig.young@tuanz.org.nz)

 

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WHO IS TUANZ?

 

The association for the users of digital technology and connectivity.

We are the independent voice of our members and all users in a complex digital world. We know that access to technology is key to digital business and force for social good and we are here to help our members make sense of the digital future.

 

TUANZ has over thirty-five years of bringing the users of ICT into the debate about the future of the digital economy. Much of what we take for granted today around choice of service comes from the work we, with our members, have done and continue to do.

 

We are a powerful channel to decision-makers and developing leaders in this sector.

We have a highly engaged community of over 1,400 individuals working in our member organisations in roles that use or are responsible for digital technology.

 

 

TUANZ Media Release : TUANZ Welcomes Kiwis home but not the return of roaming charges

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 2nd March 2022

 

With the news that Kiwi’s can now return home to Aotearoa from Australia with no home isolation from Wednesday evening, and the ability of Kiwi’s to travel to Australia, people can now look forward to once again flying across the Tasman to see family, friends and do business.

 

However, there is a cost to this that many will have forgotten over the last two years – that of International Mobile Roaming Charges even when visiting our closest neighbours. TUANZ is calling on the operators on both sides of the Tasman to do away with this unnecessary charge as travellers start to arrive in their respective countries. This would be in the spirit of the announcements as far back as 2013 by the Prime Minister’s of both countries to empower regulators to ensure roaming prices were regulated.

 

“Operators over the last two years have learnt to live without this revenue from everyday travellers and so any re-start of roaming will simply be unnecessary. Why not take the opportunity now to agree to not reinstate the charges between our two countries, further reducing the cost of travel across the ditch,” says Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ.

 

Young went on to say “while we recognise that roaming charges beyond ‘Australasia’ would be more problematic to remove, this change between two neighbours should be simple to fix. It would provide a boost to helping Kiwi’s reconnect, and support businesses, including tourism and hospitality.”

 

Young estimates that Kiwis have saved a collective $180million over the last two years. Telcos in New Zealand receive an estimated $114million from these charges for Kiwi’s and incoming tourists in a regular year. (These numbers are based on the Commerce Commission survey of retail telcos for the 2019 financial year and related to all overseas roaming, not just Australia).

 

“We have learnt the importance of remaining connected through the COVID-19 pandemic, and taking the opportunity to reduce roaming charges to zero across the Tasman would be a big step to helping us all remain in touch, even now that we can travel.”

A few tips for consumers when travelling:

 

  • Check the details of your current mobile plan and remind yourself of what charges apply when travelling

  • Utilise over the top messaging services rather than text messaging

  • Set up your voicemail asking for messages rather than phone calls

  • When out of the country, utilise secure wifi networks such as friends, families and workplaces to connect rather than overseas mobile networks

  • If travelling for some time, consider using a local prepaid service rather than roaming

 
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TUANZ Media Release : NZ Tech Users Association welcomes renewed focus on improving outcomes for Kiwi broadband consumers

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 24th February 2022

 

TUANZ is welcoming the announcement yesterday from the Commerce Commission that they are continuing their focus on how broadband services are marketed in NZ through the release of their consultation paper on the Measuring Broadband NZ (MBNZ) programme. This follows on from the instruction issued to the industry in November last year to develop a marketing code that ensures consumers receive all the information they need from telco providers to make informed choices about the technology options and plans that best suit their needs.

 

The Telecommunications Forum is currently developing these marketing codes and we are encouraged by the positive approach they are taking to meet these requirements and how they are looking to utilise information from the MBNZ programme in the implementation of their codes. An independent service such as the MBNZ programme is key to being able to compare services – which is why the consultation that the Commission is undertaking is welcomed.

 

Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ said “It’s well known that communication providers have long used confusion as a tactic within their marketing of broadband services to Kiwi consumers, and we are genuinely pleased to see these moves by the industry which we believe will lead to fairer and more responsible behaviour on the part of providers.”

 

Young says “these are all very good first steps in the journey to improving clarity, transparency and comparability of services which will make a significant difference if implemented and policed fully.”

 

However, the members of TUANZ believe that more can be done as technology changes and enables smarter options for ensuring transparent competition. That’s why TUANZ in 2021 commissioned The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to undertake a review of inertia and complexity in the NZ market. We also asked the BIT team to look globally at what possible solutions might be on the horizon. Some of the solutions in the report are able to be implemented now, while a number are more future-focused but contribute to the ongoing conversation about improving outcomes for consumers.

 

“Parts of this report have been made available through the Commerce Commission submissions processes, but we now believe that it is time to make the full report publicly available for discussion,” says Young. “In particular, ideas such as simple guidelines on how to present information, updating the current product disclosure regime and holding providers accountable for the output of their choices are all ideas that should feed into the current work.”

 

The BIT report was completed in July 2021 and (is attached to this release) can be found here.

Media Release : New marketing code to combat telco ‘confusopoly’ “a step in the right direction” according to consumer body

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 8 November 2021

The Commerce Commission has instructed the telecommunications industry to develop a marketing code that ensures consumers receive all the information they need from telco providers to make informed choices about the technology options and plans that best suit their needs.

The decision by the Commission comes after a lengthy consultation with individual consumers and industry bodies, including TUANZ, which highlighted the use of deliberate confusion to onboard new, uninformed and unsuspecting customers. 

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says, “we are pleased to see the Commission provide comprehensive guidelines that they expect to be implemented by the industry in a short manner. We call on the industry to step up and meet the timeframes that are stated in the letter sent directly to the telecommunications forum, including the voluntary compliance by providers within the next 20 days.”

“We have been deeply concerned about the tactics being used by retail service providers. Copper migration is being used as an excuse to move unsuspecting consumers to preferred services without their express consent, or the information they need to make an informed decision about the alternatives.” 

Telcos are notorious for using confusion to avoid competing on price, and the practice has a long history in New Zealand. According to Young, “the current product disclosure regime has serious weaknesses, so it is pleasing to see the Commission outlining new requirements around understanding, and clarity of the service performance of alternatives to their current service.” 

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Media Release : Technology Users Association welcomes huge commitment to accelerating Digital Aotearoa

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TUANZ Media Release

25th May 2021

TUANZ has today said the launch of the Digital Boost Alliance Aotearoa is a critical step towards New Zealand being in the top 10 digital ready nations by 2030.

The launch has seen more than 20 large businesses, including banks, telcos, global and local technology companies and more have joined together to each commit a significant contribution to accelerating the take up of technology in New Zealand.

TUANZ is playing a key role in supporting the Digital Boost Alliance Aotearoa, working in partnership with both the Government and Alliance Members to launch and run the Alliance.

“As the membership association for technology users, we have clear goals to support the wide take-up and effective use of technology across New Zealand, with all of the social and economic benefits that brings,” said Craig Young, TUANZ CEO.

“We’ve been delighted by the shared commitment shown by so many significant organisations, across so many sectors, to unleashing the power of technology for our businesses, our people and our communities.”

“While COVID saw a leap forward for technology adoption across the country, it also threw into sharp relief the issues caused by the digital divide.  As a nation we simply cannot afford to leave some of our people behind, the Alliance will have a powerful role in bridging that gap.”

“Today’s launch is just the start.  We have already seen some fantastic commitments made by Alliance members, and welcome other organisations that might want to come on board.  And there is still much work to do.  Despite the improvements driven by COVID New Zealand still only ranks 16th on the network readiness index released by the Portulans Institute.”

“The Digital Boost Alliance Aotearoa will bring some of the resources of some of the largest organisations in New Zealand, or indeed the world, to bear on accelerating the change we need for New Zealand to be successful in the digital age,” he said.

 

At launch, the members of the Alliance are:

 

  • BNZ
  • Google
  • MBIE
  • Westpac
  • ANZ
  • ASB
  • AWS
  • CertNZ
  • Chorus
  • Datacom
  • Facebook
  • HP
  • Kiwibank
  • Microsoft
  • MYOB
  • Rocketspark
  • Spark
  • The Mind Lab
  • The Warehouse Group
  • 2Degrees
  • Xero
  • Zeald

Details about the Digital Boost Alliance

Media Release : New Zealand digital leaders must lay the groundwork for continued digital transformation

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TUANZ Media Release

Tuesday 4 May, 2021

IT leaders rate Aotearoa as 6.6 out of 10 for technology adoption globally, referencing our ‘pockets of success’

Despite the accelerated digital transformation that has taken place due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand digital leaders have more work to do before our country can become a leader of emerging technologies.

A new report released by the Technology Users Association New Zealand (TUANZ) in collaboration with TechLeaders Executive and Vodafone emphasises New Zealand digital leaders and businesses must continue the momentum of the digital transformation and change that occurred last year.

TUANZ realised that many reports released tend to focus on the macro trends of emerging technologies which are unlikely to impact New Zealand organisations in the next 12 months.  

Consequently, the aim of the report: Aotearoa’s digital priorities in 2021 is to provide insight into the actual issues New Zealand digital leaders are facing and their priorities for the year ahead.

Top of the priority list is the future of work, cyber security, supporting digitalisation, the demand for digital skills, getting the most out of our data, and access and inclusion for everyone. 

TUANZ Chair, Tristan Illich says, “While the challenges and priorities within the report may not be surprising, we hope it will inspire readers to take their part in helping ensure all of us in Aotearoa New Zealand makes the most of a digitally connected world.”

The report found New Zealand businesses must prioritise getting their ‘house in order’ quickly for our country to have a shot at becoming a leader in emerging technologies. When asked to rate Aotearoa out of 10 in terms of digital adoption, the average (mean) score given was 6.6.

TechLeaders Executive Chair and Ministry of Education CDO, Stuart Wakefield says, “While the global Covid-19 pandemic accelerated many business’s digital transformation plans, it also highlighted many of the underlying issues and challenges holding them back such as workforce capability, technical debt from legacy systems, and a lack of basic infrastructure.” 

The 2020 TechLeaders Executive manifesto called out five key technology challenges: ensuring trust in our data, growing economic productivity, redefining our workplace, upskilling our nation and enabling access to the best talent.

Wakefield says, “The priorities and concerns highlighted by New Zealand’s digital leaders in the report show the 2020 manifesto focus remains valid. It also reinforces the increased urgency with which we move to support to all New Zealanders and businesses with fast data, mobility, flexibility and digital services.”

Digital leaders agreed that while some sectors in New Zealand may be leading the world in terms of innovation and technology adoption, others are holding us back. 

Vodafone CIO Andrew Haddad says, “For New Zealand to thrive in 2021 and beyond, we need our leaders to be focusing on digital transformation in all sectors of society. It’s both an opportunity and a challenge, but one that digital leaders need to embrace and drive within their organisations.”

A copy of the report is attached and can be downloaded by visiting the TUANZ website: https://tuanz.org.nz/digital-priorities-report/

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MEDIA RELEASE : Resetting the dialogue around improving rural connectivity for long-term community and climate benefits

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 11th February 2021

Resetting the dialogue around improving rural connectivity for long-term community and climate benefits

Technology Users Association New Zealand (TUANZ) believes New Zealand has an opportunity to reset the dialogue around improving rural connectivity and provide real, long-term benefits to rural communities through ensuring the current programmes deliver on time.

The publication of the 2020 Rural Connectivity Symposium Communique coincided with the release of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) 2021 Draft Report.

Technology Users Association New Zealand CEO Craig Young says it was pleasing to see that one of the CCC’s suggested time-critical necessary actions emphasised the importance of ensuring that the current government rural broadband programmes are delivered on time.

The CCC draft report recommended the government, “Ensure the Rural Broadband Initiative is resourced and prioritised to achieve its 2023 target, so that farmers have access to data and information to support decision making and the ability to practice precision agriculture.”

According to the CCC draft report, “Increasing technology use on farms will help to support efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. Improved rural connectivity via broadband will make it easier to access the information and data farmers need to measure and monitor emissions and will support precision agriculture approaches.”

Mr Young says, “This year we found that the Rural Connectivity Symposium Communique for our 2020 was a longer document than previous years. The actions we identified are significant and focused on longer-term.”

“We believe that these actions are necessary to help rural New Zealand achieve the real benefits of connectivity, and to support on-farm efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts as outlined in the CCC draft report.”

The five high-level actions that the Technology Users Association New Zealand believes will make a difference, and therefore they and their partners should advocate for are:

  1. Building on the work and investment to date, we support the call for a 10 year strategic, multilateral plan for improving rural connectivity in NZ.
  2. Our end goal should be to ensure that the rural experience is at least equivalent to urban, recognising the requirement for a multi-technology approach.
  3. This will require a change to the funding model to a more transactional and end-user focused approach to ensure continued investment in network capacity, capability and offering enhancements such as free installs of CPE, as is the case in UFB.
  4. This end-user focused approach should be supported by rolling out a publicly available national connectivity register, allowing users and providers with a view of the best form of connectivity available at their location, as well as providing real-life experience reporting.
  5. All of this will fail though if users are not aware of their options or the opportunities they are missing out on. We need a concerted and planned awareness programme delivered at the community level.

These messages, as well as the challenges raised during the online event and subsequent workshops, will guide TUANZ advocacy and programmes in the area of Rural Connectivity over the next 12 months.  These will also guide the discussions at the 2021 Symposium which is scheduled for the 25th May 2021 in Hamilton.

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MEDIA RELEASE : THE TOPIC OF RURAL CONNECTIVITY TOO IMPORTANT TO GIVE UP ON

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TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 27 August, 2020

The topic of rural connectivity too important to give up on

With the reemergence of Alert Level 2 restrictions in New Zealand, TUANZ has reimagined the annual Rural Connectivity Symposium format, and pushed the date out slightly, to allow the event and surrounding conversations to proceed.

The Rural Connectivity Symposium will now be held on September 16 and 17 with a hybrid online and in-person format.

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says, “The topic of the future of rural connectivity is too important to give up on. Cancellation was never an option on the table. What we’re learning this year is the importance of a Plan B, C, and even D.”

Traditionally the Rural Connectivity Symposium is a one day event with up to 150 attendees with a mix of the public sector, industry partners, rural communities and members of the public. This year the event will be held across two days.

The first session will be an online webinar providing an update on progress to date. Attendees will have the option of joining the second session through an online platform or in person at one of the regional locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch. The theme of the second session is ‘Where are we headed and what do we want?’

Young says, “We believe the combination of online and in-person sessions in multiple regions will make it more accessible. We really wanted to retain an in-person element to the event to help groups share their stories and gather aspirations and ideas.”

“We’ve significantly reduced the ticket price to $39.99 and all registered attendees will have the option of a refund.”

Confirmed speakers for the online session include Hon Kris Faafoi, Minister for Broadcasting, Communications, and Digital Media; and Mike Smith, Chair of WISPA and CEO of Ultimate Broadband.
During the combined online and regional session, attendees will hear from Andrew Watene, Associate Director – Food, Agribusiness and Export Lead at KPMG; H.E. Peter Ryan, Ambassador to NZ from Ireland; and Chris Goldsmith, NGCC Director at NZ Police.

This year’s event is supported by our Premier Partner, Chorus, and our Conference Partners, WISPA and Kacific Satellite.

TUANZ hopes to be able to hold the Rural Connectivity Symposium in-person in Hamilton on April 22, 2021.

The event will be held Wednesday 16 September 2020, 1-3:30pm, Online and Thursday 17 September 2020, 1-5pm, Online and at regional locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

TUANZ invites people who work or live in rural communities, along with anyone interested in the future of rural connectivity to attend. For more information visit or to register to attend visit: https://tuanz.org.nz/event/2020-rural-connectivity-symposium/

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TechLeaders prioritise our digital future

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Ahead of the 2020 General Election, New Zealand’s TechLeaders are urging all political parties to prioritise our digital future.  The TechLeaders Executive have published their manifesto outlining specific areas that we believe the next Government must focus on.

Today, we are increasingly reliant on technology to access information, learn, shop, work and connect with family and friends.  To be a globally competitive, balanced society, New Zealand needs to strengthen its digital foundations.  Emerging technology continues to disrupt existing business models and we must innovate now for our future.    

Government has an important leadership role to play in building a flexible, resilient, safe and trusted digital technology platform that is accessible to all.

Key technology opportunities for New Zealand include;

  1. Trust in our data
  2. Growing economic productivity
  3. Redefining the workplace
  4. Upskilling the nation
  5. Providing access to the best talent

Regardless of September’s election results, the next Government must embrace the key opportunities through technology focused policy in each of these areas. 

The TechLeaders Executive is a not-for-profit association of senior technology leaders, influencing positive economic and social change.  Its purpose is to provide a platform for cross-sector collaboration to actively contribute to the prosperity of New Zealand underpinned by technology.  TechLeaders is a member of the New Zealand Tech Alliance.

Meet our TechLeaders and read the 2020 Manifesto here.