Beware the Risk 5G Poses to Rural Internet Users

Despite the hype surrounding Vodafone’s launch of the next cellphone technology, it risks a serious downside to thousands of rural broadband users, according to the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA.NZ).

“Vodafone and its competitors are putting huge pressure on Government to reallocate radio spectrum so they can run 5G more cost-effectively,” WISPA Chairman Mike Smith says.

“However, some of the spectrum the mobile companies are trying to claim is already used commercially by about 30 regional WISPs, who collectively service many tens of thousands of rural customers. These customers are farms who use the Internet for business management, rural kids who use it for study, and rural people who depend on it for social inclusion. Most cant get Internet any other way.

“If the government responds to the cellphone companies’ land grab, some of those users could face more expensive Internet or even lose their hard-won connectivity altogether.

“The advantages of 5G are very much in the future. By contrast, WISPs are solving the connectivity issue for rural New Zealand here and now.

“It makes no sense to slow or reverse the progress made in connecting our major export sector, just so that some online games will work a nanosecond faster or city people can connect their home air conditioning to their car GPS. The benefits of 5G are marginal and futuristic, but basic connectivity for rural families and businesses is here, now, and economically essential.

“WISPA seeks a clear assurance from Minister Faafoi that no decision will be made to reallocate spectrum until the issues have been thoroughly aired in public.”

ENDS

Contact:           Mike Smith                  0274503504  mike@ubb.nz

Alternative:     Ernie Newman            0223764363 ernie.newman@wispa.nz

TUANZ to host symposium looking at the future of TV and media in this converging world

TUANZ, the association for users of digital technology and connectivity, is inviting anyone interested in hearing about the future of TV and media to the 2019 Digital Convergence Symposium on Tuesday 6 August.

TUANZ CEO, Craig Young says that the theme of this year’s event reflects the fast-changing nature of media and how users access content in 2019.

“The biggest talking point at the moment is how viewers will watch this year’s various world cups including Rugby, and how the continued convergence of communications and broadcasting will play out after October this year,” says Young.

Attendees will hear from several industry leaders including Carolyn Luey, Consumer Director at Vodafone, Michael Boggs, CEO of NZME and Kevin Kenrick, CEO of TVNZ. Representatives from Spark and Sky TV will also present their views during the afternoon.

New in 2019, the TUANZ Digital Convergence Symposium aims to help users make sense of the digital future where there is an increasing convergence of digital technologies. This convergence reached a tipping point in 2018 in relation to the use of broadband to deliver content to users from broadcasters and companies alike.

Those interested in attending can view the full programme and register for the event by going to the Events page on the TUANZ website. 

About TUANZ

TUANZ is the group helping users make sense of the digital future through sharing experiences and knowledge about current and new technology. It is the voice of its members and all users in a complex digital world. TUANZ is the only truly independent and representative voice for all users, both corporate and individual.

Newsletter: Q&A in communications

So, you’ve honed the pitch, that 3-4 sentence definition of what your company or organisation is, and what you stand for. But what happens after the press release or media announcement is sent out – if the journalist calls and wants to know more? What will they ask, and how will you respond beyond the pitch? This is where the ‘Q&A’ comes into play in communications – when you think of all the questions that you might get asked and how you might answer them to create a news story. Of course, you may not think of every question, and the answers you could provide won’t be word-for-word. But preparing a Q&A provides you with the best opportunity to provide the answers that will help inform the journalist’s audience (and other important audiences too, such as customers and investors). At NewzEngine we believe in the saying ‘eat your own dogfood’ so here’s the Q&A we’ve prepared for our platform. What does your company do? NewzEngine enables companies and organisations to create and send news releases to media. Describe your customer today? Our target audience is SMEs and Not-for-Profit groups where there is currently no dedicated communications resource. We also think people standing for public office would see this as a way to get their media announcement out to their local communities. Who will your customers be in three years? We are looking to export this public relations service to Australia, Pacific Islands, South East Asia and North America. What is the primary problem you are solving? Enabling organisations with no dedicated communications expertise to get their message out to a wider audience via a platform for distributing media announcements.  Why has no one solved it before? News releases are a core part of traditional Public Relations’ activities. As professional communications services are traditionally bespoke and high-touch, they can be expensive and therefore used primarily by larger and more well-resourced organisations. Are you solving problems for your industry, for society, the world? NewzEngine is providing a platform for new voices to be seen and heard in business, politics and other important sectors, by enabling a cost-effective way to reach credible media. Who are your competitors? We think we’re quite unique in providing a transparent, cost-effective communications service that enables people with no public relations experience to create and send press releases to media in their chosen geographical area and/or sector. What are the main reasons why people will use your product over a competitor? It’s the most cost-effective in terms of creating and sending press releases and it provides an extensive how-to guide to creating media announcements, which we don’t believe currently exists in the same way on other sites. Why did you start the company? We were asked by people and organisations how to send out media releases – they had no idea where to begin, what to say and who to send it to. Why are you uniquely qualified to start it? NewzEngine is founded by Selwyn Manning and Sarah Putt, who between them have over 40 years media and communications’ experience. Selwyn’s career includes roles as a journalist, political press secretary and news media specialist. Sarah has worked as a journalist, public relations specialist and technology commentator.