24 Jun 2009

Farmers want more broadband investment

6:59 am on 24 June 2009

Farmers hope the Government will revise funding for super-fast rural broadband.

Telecommunications Minister Stephen Joyce is delaying the issue of details on the Government's broadband plan while it considers issues such as rural broadband.

Federated Farmers has criticised the rural broadband budget of $48 million, which compares with $1.5 billion for urban areas.

Mr Joyce says he expects farmers will be pleased with the final allocation.

He expects to provide a discussion document to his cabinet colleagues by mid-August.

Meanwhile, he is not ruling out calls by Telecom and Vodafone for a single, national network, rather than the proposed regional model.

Mr Joyce has also suggested that Queenstown, which missed out on funding, may now be included.