A large number of national and international companies have shown interest in the broadband roll out plan by the government. Steven Joyce, the Communications and Information Technology Minister informed that 38 groups have approached the government for its $1.5 billion internet broadband plan to be rolled out with the help of private partnership.

The minister hailed the interest shown by international players in the urban broadband initiative. He said that the private players have a significant role to play in the government’s vision of the
transformative ability of ultra-fast broadband.

Mr. Joyce further said, “We are now getting very close to identifying the private sector partners who will build the infrastructure and get the roll-out underway.”

The terms and conditions, including technical specifications, for internet broadband were released last month by the government which would provide funds for fiber deployment in different localities.

Increased private partnership would enhance risk taking capacity and remove uncertainties of demand in the way. The interested groups are required to submit their final proposals by January 2009.

Government has not divulged the names of interested groups as the issue is commercially very sensitive.