In Marlborough, New Zealand, the District Council has violated an agreement with the government by allowing carriers to obtain broadband by using its spectrum. Illinois News Today reported that the council received a license from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2018 to provide service to 99 percent of Marlborough residents within two and a half years. However, when the deadline approached in July 2020, the council announced it was withdrawing its plans due to costs; it estimated a price tag of $41 million to meet its broadband coverage goals.
The council then lent spectrum to companies including Renwick, Tuamarina, Ward, and Marlborough Sound to provide internet and mobile coverage. In March, the ministry advised the council that the move was a breach of its agreement; the council agreed to revoke the licenses in April 2021, reported News Today.
Separate allegations were also brought against the council pertaining to improper spending and falsely claiming it offered wireless broadband services that “run 24 hours a day, except for regular maintenance and upgrades.” New Zealand’s High Court dismissed these allegations brought against the council, Illinois News Today reported.
According to the council’s chief executive officer, Mark Wheeler, “We had some wins and some losses. Although we didn’t achieve as much as we expected in broadband…I believe if they didn’t try to get in, then the Rural Connectivity Group might not have had so much inventory in Marlborough.“
The Rural Connectivity Group, a joint venture between Spark, Vodafone, and 2degrees, plans to install 17 towers in Marlborough by the end of 2023. According to Marlborough mayor John Legget, this project aligns with “the community’s request to expand the coverage of broadband.”
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