Queenstown business operators, educators and health providers have been challenged by a Government minister to maximise the opportunities to come from having "ultrafast broadband" everywhere in the resort within eight years.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Amy Adams said the national $1.35 billion project was not devised to expedite the performance of everyday tasks.
Digital connectivity was at the heart of trade and prosperity and would allow Queenstown schools and health providers to access the best resources in real time without the disadvantage of being far from the main centre, the minister said.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden welcomed guests to the start of "a very exciting project" which would enhance the world-class experience visitors had in the resort and meet the expectations many people from overseas had for connectivity.
Tourism and film industries stood to benefit, she said.
Ms Adams and Ms van Uden joined 50 representatives from the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Queenstown Airport and Queenstown Resort College for a Chorus-hosted event in the college. The event was to officially mark the start of the nationwide initiative. The initiative will first focus on "priority customers" such as schools, hospitals, medical facilities and businesses.
Chorus and Crown Fibre Holdings intend to build on the existing 50km fibre network, with extra fibre laid to reach more than 2000 customers and the three central Queenstown schools by July 2013.
The Wakatipu area zoned for ultrafast broadband will eventually cover Sunshine Bay, Fernhill, Queenstown Hill and along urban Gorge Rd, as well as Frankton Rd to Frankton and Kelvin Heights and out to Lower Shotover.
