Week 8 T3

For those that have been following the Ultra Fast Broadband roll out and were under the impression that we are now all connected and using this fast internet think again!!
To help clear this up, I have included this article from Rachel.

Just because you have fibre at your gate doesn't mean you can hook in and use it! (No surprises there for some)
With much hype and media surrounding the rollout of RBI (Rural Broadband Initiative) it has been a frustrating reality check for schools to find that they are unable to find a RSP (Retail Service Provider) to hook them up (or one they can afford).  Out of the 400 schools signed off as 'connected' only a couple have been able to hook up so far!  There has been quite a disconnect between the expectations of schools and the wider community with the reality of rolling out a huge and complex project such as this one.  So large is this project it is taking - two government departments, and various sub-projects in various stages - RBI, RBI Phase 2, UFB, RSBI, & the Chathams (still in its proposal form).  No wonder it is so bewildering to make sense of for many - I have been following this closely and I struggle.  Throw into the mix SNUPS and the proposed Network for Learning and you have got a recipe for a mental melt down.
What makes this so challenging for schools is the number of variables that are in play - has the school been snupped, if not when will this happen?  Although fibre may be dropped to the school, it may not be enabled at the exchange.  There are more technical variables Handover Points, HSNS, GPON (all of which mean little to me) that will be different for different schools around the country.  So with all of these variables it seems to be every school for themselves to make the best of it...
Recently though some Retail Service Providers have begun to make offers to schools - in        particular Call Plus, SNAP & Orcon.  Schools should also factor into their decision-making   joining the Network for Learning (N4L).  Though scheduled to be available to schools mid-2013, it will likely have a 'soft start' with a few schools ironing out the wrinkles for the rest to follow, so consider being able to access this early 2014.  So do you need to go into mental meltdown now - or just wait for the Network for Learning? (& have your mental meltdown then ;-)  My advice to schools I work with would be unless you are really struggling with your current connection (unfortunately quite a few are) then taihoa and see what the N4L will bring for you.

So as you can see there are many things to think about and many ducks to line up before we are able to get Ultra Fast Broadband. However when it does come, Matapu School has been working hard in the last few years to be ready to fully utilise this service.