as local authorities are required to look after the "social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing" of their communities - which justifies anything.

Telstra Clear got agreement a few years ago from Transit NZ to run cable along the motorway corridor to connect up its planned local network - and Transit would pay for some capacity to link up its traffic warning signs, and cameras. However, Telstra Clear sees the future in lobbying government - if it remains a flat no to local loop unbundling, there could be interest in another network, like there was before. The Wellington and Christchurch networks haven't been a disaster (though the Christchurch one is a marginal investment at best), especially in gaining around 30% market share.

David Farrar is simply playing the consumer lobbyist game - demanding producers kowtow to what consumers want - if it was any other sector he'd be against it, and he knows it, but doesn't believe in a better answer.

Sounds entirely feasible. Of course, they're hoping to do it with a generous handout of other people's money.

Situation normal in business here in N.Z. Look at the film industry, medicine, law, health & safety, aviation, power, transport ... all sucking off the taxpayer's tit.

I think Vector wants to hop on the broadband bandwagon, esp with their thrust to upgrade the power network, which includes their fibre optical network...

is that the council that stopped TCL building out a network through their bureaucratic regulations and will now develop it themselves - with rates (taxes) extorted from TCL (not that I have much sympathy for those corporate welfare bludgers).

It's just so damn socialist - people don't see the big picture of what's happening, they applaud what little bits they see.