Questions and answers
What is ultra-fast broadband and why is it important for schools?
Ultra-fast broadband is broadband that is capable of speeds up to 100 megabits/second (Mbps). While most schools are already on broadband, speeds currently range from between 0.5-5Mbps, which is becoming increasingly inadequate for many online services to work properly.
Ultra-fast broadband will enable schools to access an increasing range of online tools and services to aid the delivery of educational content. It has the potential to enhance student engagement and ultimately improve outcomes for students.
What is the Government’s commitment to schools?
The Government has committed to 97.7% of schools and 99.9% of students receiving access to ultra-fast broadband (capable of up to 100 Mbps) by 30 June 2015, via its Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiatives (RBI). The remainder of schools in areas too remote for fibre will receive an improved broadband service via satellite or other technology.
How will the rollout happen?
The process of selecting providers to roll out ultra-fast broadband access to each region is being overseen by the Ministry of Economic Development (for rural areas) and Crown Fibre Holdings (for urban areas). The order in which fibre will be rolled out within each region will depend on which providers are chosen. Each provider will decide the most logical order in which to connect schools.
Does my school need to register to receive ultra-fast broadband access?
No. State and state-integrated schools will automatically receive a fully-funded connection to the fibre being rolled out in their area, and there is no need to enrol.
Independent schools will need to fund their own fibre connection – however this is likely to be more cost-effective when undertaken as part of the wider rollout. The Ministry of Education will be progressively contacting independent schools to confirm their interest in receiving an ultra-fast broadband connection before fibre is rolled out in their area.
When will my school be connected?
The rollout to schools will be a five-year process, involving multiple rounds of negotiations. The Ministry of Education has no control over the UFB/RBI negotiations or over when each school will be connected.
The agencies overseeing the negotiations – Ministry of Economic Development and Crown Fibre Holdings have advised that once a provider is selected for each region, they will then identify the most logical order in which to connect schools within their region.
Which schools are defined as urban and which are ‘rural’?
The government’s broadband strategy has identified 33 "candidate areas" that contain populations greater than 9,500 people (the smallest of these being Greymouth). Schools in these areas are likely to be connected to fibre via the UFB initiative.
Schools in the remaining areas will generally be covered under the RBI deployment, which will also be primarily fibre. A small number of schools in locations too remote for fibre will be connected through other technologies such as satellite.
The boundaries between rural and urban are currently subject to negotiation between the government and the various parties responding to the tenders.
What does my school need to do to be prepared?
Schools can register for a School Network Upgrade (network.upgrades@minedu.govt.nz) to ensure their internal school network is ready for the ultra-fast broadband capacity that fibre will deliver. School leaders should also prioritise professional learning development to ensure that staff are confident in using online tools and environments in their work.
Will ultra fast broadband cost more than my regular internet service?
So far, only a few providers have announced what they will be charging for fibre-enabled internet services in locations where the roll out of government fibre is currently underway. Their offers have been comparable with prices currently paid by schools for their existing internet services. As the roll out progresses and more providers launch services for schools, a clearer overall picture will emerge.
Ultimately, the cost will vary depending on the services and applications you want to use and how many of these you want guaranteed access to at any one time.
As well as improving speed and bandwidth, ultra-fast broadband over fibre can also offer cost efficiencies. For example, you could reduce your current telecommunications costs by replacing your existing phone service with Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) which runs over your ultra-fast broadband connection.
Does the fibre drop mean we can’t continue to use our existing, copper connection?
You can continue to use your existing service if/until you choose to use the fibre. The copper infrastructure won’t be removed as part of this or any other planned activity.
What’s the difference between this and the School Network Upgrade Project?
The School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) upgrades schools’ internal data and electrical cabling infrastructure, improving internal network performance. A school does not have to have a SNUP upgrade to connect to and use ultra-fast broadband over fibre.
If the fibre drop is funded does this mean I get free broadband?
The fibre drop only provides physical connection to the fibre. To use the fibre to access ultra-fast broadband you will need to pay for access to the network as well as any services you choose such as internet access, VOIP, or email.
Will my broadband speeds be noticeably faster over fibre?
In most cases, you should certainly notice the difference. However, the speeds you experience will depend on several factors including whether your traffic is local or international and the service you’ve purchased. Speed and capacity may also be limited by the quality of your internal network, if your school hasn’t been through the SNUP process.
How will I decide which retail service provider is right for my school?
The Ministry has developed guidelines to help schools make an informed decision on service provision. These can be found on the Enabling e-Learning website.
What is the maximum period that the Ministry recommends for a contract for retail service provision over fibre?
If possible we recommend committing to a term no longer than two years, to ensure you can take advantage of any offers we can secure for schools over fibre at a later date.
Will I have to change my Internet Service Provider to take advantage of the fibre?
You may need to change your Internet Service Provider to take advantage of fibre. If so you should consider the term of your existing contract and whether you will incur exit penalties by switching.
Further questions? Email ufb.schools@minedu.govt.nz or call 0800 22 55 42.