MEDIA RELEASE - Tourists, police and locals are among thousands set to benefit from a newly built, green energy cell site in the Kauaeranga Valley.

Powered by solar panels and wind turbines, this is the first ‘off grid’ cell site to be built on the mainland under the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).

The RBI - which Vodafone delivers in partnership with the Government and Chorus - brings improved mobile coverage and high-speed wireless broadband to thousands of New Zealanders living in rural areas.

The new Kauaeranga Valley cell site means local residents, visitors and businesses could now gain access to wireless broadband capable of delivering fibre-like speeds up to 100Mbps.

DOC’s Operations Manager for Hauraki, Avi Holzapfel said the improved mobile coverage also brings a significant safety boost for visitors to the region.

“Every year more than 30,000 visitors check into DOC’s Kauaeranga Valley visitor’s centre prior to enjoying the history of the area, or setting off on one of the stunning hiking tracks,” said Avi Holzapfel.

“With improved broadband and mobile signal, there is an element of convenience for visitors, but the real benefit is the safety factor. If an incident happens where emergency help is required, having cell phone signal can be the difference between life and death, as it gives search and rescue teams another communication tool to coordinate their efforts,” he said.

Sixty square metres of solar panelling and two 600 watt wind turbines are generating the cell site’s power. This energy is captured in a large battery system, with a diesel generator providing reliable power backup if required.

The newly erected site has been built on 100 cubic metres of concrete, and is now capable of delivering broadband services and mobile phone coverage to approximately 350 households and businesses from the Kopu-Hikuai Road, across the Kauaeranga Valley to Thames.

Vodafone’s Wholesale Director, Steve Rieger said, “We are thrilled to have delivered this important piece of telecommunications infrastructure whilst keeping within the greatly respected environmental ethos of the Coromandel community.

“Today’s outcome is a result of a lot of hard work by the teams at Thames-Coromandel District Council and the Department of Conservation, who in collaboration with the team at Vodafone have been steadfast in their commitment to seeing this project through to fruition,” he said.

Vodafone first received consent to build the Kauaeranga Valley cell site in 2013, however the inability to access a nearby mains power source meant an alternative solution was needed.

Aware of the importance of the cell site for the local community, the Thames-Coromandel District Council’s (TCDC) Economic Development Committee provided a grant to fund solar and wind power at cell site, thereby overcoming the need for mains power.

TCDC Deputy CEO Benjamin Day said, “Fast, reliable telecommunications services are essential for communities and businesses to thrive so we are delighted this new, environmentally friendly cell site is now in operation. We hope local residents and visitors alike will make strong use of these services.”

Find out if your home, farm or business is capable of switching to rural wireless broadband today by visiting: www.vodafone.co.nz/network/rural