Broadband map misses out Raglan

Updated 26.07.15  See post below from Jay Daley, CEO of NZRS Ltd who developed the map. Although the Communications Minister launched the map, Mr Daley has advised that the map is not a Government initiative and is voluntary.

A new broadband map launched by Communications Minister Amy Adams on July 22nd is intended to allow New Zealanders to see what broadband technologies are, or will be, available to them. Unfortunately the broadband map misses out parts of Raglan.

When Raglan 23 checked the Raglan section of the map we found that it correctly showed that limited parts of Raglan have ADSL service, two small areas have VDSL service and that no areas have fibre service.  When we checked the availability of wireless broadband in and around Raglan we found that the map came up with a blank.  The map developers had completely missed Wanna Internet’s Ultra Wireless currently available in Raglan,Te Mata,Te Pahu and surrounding areas. Wanna Internet say that their wireless network provides for 30Mbps download and 10Mbps upload to our end customers which is the entry-level Ultra Fast Broadband speed. Actual customers reach 5Mbps download and 1Mbps upload, which is what they also sell as the service expectation to our customers.Jason Brand from Wanna said, “We may upgrade our equipment in the future to allow for faster speeds as the demand and growth continues in the Raglan Area.”

So while Jay Daley, CEO of NZRS Ltd who developed the map said, “our thanks go out to the network operators who have contributed data to allow the creation of this incredibly useful service.” It seems that the map isn’t useful for Raglanders at all.

Mr Daley added, “NZRS Ltd is committed to keeping the data behind the broadband map up to date, and is working with network operators to close any information gaps that still exist.” Raglan 23 notified NZRS of the omission. As yet we haven’t heard back from them. See post below from NZRS.

The NZRS map is available at http://broadbandmap.nz. 

The NZ Government recently announced additional funding to help expand broadband across the country. The Waikato District Council made sure it was one of many contenders for the funding boost with a submission to the Government to ensure Raglan and other Waikato communities are on the list for expanded broadband. Lets hope that after reading the submission that Communication Minister Amy Adams is a better informed on the broadband situation in Raglan.