Government seeks tender for rural broadband plans

Government is looking to initiate rural broadband, for about 224.005 million EUR tender. The communication expressing the interest makes up the initial step of the tender process. Potential or consortia of suppliers of broadband infra structure will convey the interest before RFP - Request For Proposal stage from August 2010. Steven Joyce, the Communication and IT Minister, exclaimed the associates is expected to furnish the provision of fiber connections to over 93% of rural schools, satisfy the needs of rural users and ensure equal and open access infra structure.

He added that the government will also consider proposals that promote voice service infra structures to remote rural users. The government has realized the impact that the developing remote rural voice infra structure has on these communities. It is completely unsatisfactory knowing that almost half of rural households having dial up speeds, Mr Joyce added.