MEDIA RELEASE - Help is on the way for rural families who are frustrated with their slow or non-existent internet connections.
As the national Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) nears completion, Vodafone's in-store Rural Specialists are on a mission to get as many locals as possible onto a better and faster broadband connection.
Vodafone Invercargill Store Manager, Jo Sharp, says many rural customers aren’t aware that a better online experience is already right on their doorstep.
Depending on your location, wireless broadband can now deliver fibre-likes speeds of up to 100Mbps, meaning people can comfortably stream entertainment, video call family overseas and run their businesses from home.
“In many cases, getting connected at home or on the farm is as simple as plugging in a 4G modem,” says Jo.
“As Rural Specialists, we have intimate knowledge of the local network so we know exactly what rural technology solutions are going to work best for each customer.
“Essentially, we are a one stop shop to help get Invercargill connected to better broadband and mobile services,” says Jo.
Under the RBI, Vodafone has so far built or upgraded more than 500 rural cell sites around New Zealand in partnership with the Government and Chorus.
Since 2011, the Southland District has had 20 cell sites built or upgraded under the initiative, radically transforming access to communication services for approximately 10,000 rural homes and businesses.
Over the past 12 months, Vodafone has seen a 118% increase in data usage across its RBI network in Invercargill.
Jo adds, “Invercargill is a great town with a proud, industrious history and I’m looking forward to watching the local business people continue to harness the power of rural broadband to innovate and grow their businesses”.
“Invercargill is an awesome place to live – we’re central to ski fields and the lakes, with great access to nature and world-class seafood – it’s a great city with a rural feel,” says Jo.
“With rural broadband, it feels like we’re also on the cusp of a digital revolution which will only help to enhance our unique way of life.”
