NGI-NZ Consortium Media Release 19/02/03

Next Generation Internet in NZ

Feb 14 2003

"On target but we still have a lot of work to do", that was the message from Neil James Chairperson to Next Generation Internet (NGI-NZ) Consortium to the first meeting of 2003 held in Wellington on 13 February.

The meeting welcomed 3 new consortium members National Library , Natural History NZ ( Dunedin ) and InternetNZ who have joined since the formation of consortium in October 2002

NGI-NZ is confident of increasing membership to 20 in the coming weeks.

Newly appointed CEO Tone Borren received approval for a timetable that will see a rollout of a National NGI network before the end of 2003 . The NGI-NZ Board is expected to sign off on a business plan in early April .

"All options are being considered at this stage " said Tone Borren. "We are in active discussions with a wide range of suppliers who have registered expressions of interest in providing network services. Given the amount of infrastructure that is already in place in New Zealand , the Board is committed to a constructive dialogue with all, including the major Telcos, regarding partnering arrangements. We are looking for a complete change in the way the services are provided and charged for, recognising the change from a scarce resource to today's abundance of potential capacity, as well as trying to relate to the nature of LAN users."

NGI-NZ is keen to hear from any other interested suppliers, operators or equipment vendors, about their potential contributions.

Other key points

• The Board approved a recommendation to form an incorporated Society
• Approval in principle to undertake an NGI trial and demonstration project
• Delegated a working party to examine last mile issues
• Two NGI application groups - Biotech and Creative Sector reported the immediate need for affordable hi speed network services particularly international connectivity.
• NGI-NZ was advised that the Film and TV post production sector has expressed an urgency in addressing the cost of hi - speed Internet connectivity which is restricting the growth of the NZ film and TV industry . Bandwidth is no longer a side issue ; access to increased bandwidth and hi speed international connectivity will directly impact on improved export performance of the overall sector .

Contact Details

Neil James
Chair , NGI-NZ
Tel (03) 479-8594
Mobile 021 393-123
FAX (03)479-8577
neil.james@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Tone Borren
CEO , NGI-NZ
Tel ( 04 ) 494 1302
Mobile (021) 494 130
tone.borren@shift.co.nz

www.ngi.org.nz