In August 2017 the Rural Connectivity Group was appointed by the government to be the infrastructure provider to bring 4G mobile and wireless broadband coverage to rural New Zealand under the Rural Broadband Initiative 2 and the Mobile Black Spot fund. The Rural Connectivity Group is an independent entity established to build the infrastructure shared by New Zealand’s three mobile network operators and to operate and maintain the new open access network. In partnership with Crown Infrastructure Partners we will deliver new mobile and wireless broadband coverage to at least 30,000 rural homes and businesses, provide mobile coverage to a further 1000 kilometres of state highways and provide connectivity to at least 90 top New Zealand tourist destinations by December 2022.This critical infrastructure project is funded by the government’s Telecommunications Development Levy, and an additional $75M provided by the three mobile network operators. Crown Infrastructure Partners will manage the distribution of funds to the Rural Connectivity Group. This unique funding model is the only way these modern services can be delivered further into rural New Zealand.

Government and industry collaboration will see New Zealand as the first country in the world where all three mobile network operators will share radio access network equipment and one set of antennae on each facility built by the Rural Connectivity Group. The retail services provided by the equipment will be the responsibility of the three mobile network operators. The Rural Connectivity Group is proud to be partnering with Crown Infrastructure Partners and our shared goal is to maximise the use of the available funding, in order to deliver the best possible outcome for rural New Zealand. For further information about the Rural Broadband Initiative 2 and the Mobile Black Spot Initiative please visit Crown Infrastructure Partners website at

www.crowninfrastructure.govt.nz

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