The rural-urban digital divide is getting smaller following Vodafone NZ’s efforts to help build more than 260 new rural cell sites by the close of the latest financial year, ensuring more rural New Zealanders can connect to wireless broadband and mobile technology. Vodafone is one of three partners in the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) and is pleased to have exceeded their ambitious annual target, despite the challenges posed by COVID.

Tony Baird, Wholesale & Infrastructure Director, Vodafone NZ, and RCG Board member, said “Helping to better connect rural New Zealanders will ensure Aotearoa thrives as a nation. I’m extremely proud of the hard work that the Vodafone team has put in alongside the Rural Connectivity Group to continue expanding the Rural Broadband Initiative over the past year, often working in remote environments with challenging infrastructure needs.

“The RCG model to build shared digital infrastructure is admired worldwide as an effective and economically viable way to bring fast and reliable internet access to rural areas. We’re on track to hit an increased target of at least 500 new cell sites built under the RBI2 program by December 2023.”

The new cell sites are equipped with the latest 4G network technology, meaning a 4G enabled device is required to connect. More information, including which mobile phones this includes, is available here: https://www.vodafone.co.nz/our-networks/volte/

Farmside, powered by Vodafone, is New Zealand’s leading rural broadband provider, delivering fast and reliable internet and voice solutions nationwide. For more information about rural 4G broadband, please visit: www.farmside.co.nz