More rural connectivity opens the gate to smarter and safer farms
Rural

More rural connectivity opens the gate to smarter and safer farms

MEDIA RELEASE - Vodafone is providing a launching pad for rural entrepreneurs to showcase their ‘smart farm’ innovations at this year’s Fieldays from 15 to 18 June, 2016

Returning to Fieldays as the official innovation and technology partner, Vodafone is showcasing pioneering Kiwi businesses to deliver smarter ways of farming, alongside demonstrations of its own leading mobile and broadband coverage solutions and services offered by dedicated onsite Rural Specialists.

“Increased connectivity is driving the transformation of our rural industry, and we’re passionate about helping farmers to access the best technology to boost productivity while saving on time and costs,” said Vodafone’s Chief Executive Officer, Russell Stanners.

Smart Farm Innovation Partners, including Blerter, Haptly and Tru-Test will be showcased in the Fieldays Pavilion, while Solar Bright will feature in the Vodafone Innovation Centre, a hub for the latest in homegrown rural technology.

Among the clever innovations from Vodafone’s Smart Farm Innovation Partners is a smartphone-compatible drone that collects real time images and data on pastures so that farmers can keep a closer eye on their irrigation, weed management and dry matter needs. Information is fed directly to a farmer’s smartphone, enabling them to manage their farms quickly and remotely.

Advanced technology is also being used to improve the health and safety of New Zealand farmers, with inventions such as solar powered LED lights that flash when there is surface ice on the road to help prevent accidents and costly damage to equipment and livestock.

The Vodafone stand in the main pavilion will also showcase a range of Vodafone’s coverage solutions for farmers and rural communities, including products to suit hard-to-reach or remote places, large farms and small farms or within rural homes.

Visitors to the stand will have access to the Smart Farm Test to discover ways to drive efficiencies on their farm using new technologies, and Vodafone Rural Connect Free Wi-Fi which they can use to download the official Fieldays smartphone app to find exhibitors, event times and locations.

For the first time Vodafone has this year signed on as a Principal Partner of Fieldays and Vodafone’s longtime involvement in the event is part of its commitment to rural New Zealand that has seen reliable and superfast wireless broadband extend to more than 75 percent of rural Kiwis since the collaborative Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) began in 2011. Mobile coverage is also at an all-time high reaching 98.5 percent of Kiwis.

With phase one of the RBI build now complete ahead of schedule, more than 290,000 rural homes and businesses are benefiting from increased connectivity and coverage, opening opportunities for farmers to use state-of-the-art technology to run their farms from virtually anywhere, at any time.

“Farming is a true powerhouse of our economy and enabling Kiwi farmers to adopt advanced technology is important for them, and New Zealand, to remain competitive. High speed broadband and mobile coverage is an essential part of that and we’re proud to support the rural sector with our expanded broadband network,” said Mr Stanners.

Vodafone has a goal of reaching 100 percent high speed broadband coverage and mobile, excluding national parks, alps, and forests, as well delivering on the Government’s aim of providing 50Mbps broadband speeds to all Kiwis by 2025.

“We have the right people and tools to reach our goal and we’re excited to see how high speed broadband and further mobile coverage will give Kiwi farmers the time and freedom to focus on what’s important to them,” said Mr Stanners.

Vodafone at Fieldays:

On the Vodafone stand in the Premium Pavilion customers can:

  • Access Vodafone Rural Connect Free Wifi and Mobile Charging Stations;
  • Try the Smart Farm Test, where farmers will be able to discover ways to drive efficiencies and productivity in their business;
  • Get exclusive Fieldays deals, with discounts on Rural Broadband and mobile (see below);
  • Talk to Rural Specialists onsite to assist with enquiries;
  • Find out and test M2M solutions first hand; and
  • At the Vodafone Innovation Centre, top Kiwi agribusiness entrepreneurs will showcase their ideas and

To make sure you don’t miss a thing, download the Fieldays® app to pin your car’s location, get an easy-to-use map, and plan your must-sees.
For more information, please contact:

Elissa Downey, External Communications Manager, Vodafone New Zealand, elissa.downey@vodafone.com, 021866146

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