The Thames-Coromandel District Council is putting in a bid for a portion of the $360 million the Government is spending on improving broadband coverage around the country.

The money extends over two programmes: the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative and the Rural Broadband Initiative, which have already helped improve internet speeds in parts of the country.

Thames-Coromandel District Council has created two online surveys for locals to complete in order to strengthen their bid for some of the $360 million the Government is spending on improving broadband around the country. Photo: File

But there's a catch. Thames-Coromandel is competing against other councils from across the country to get a piece of the action.

So they need help from locals to put together the best bid possible explaining how the Coromandel will benefit from better broadband.

This bid would also include which parts of the district would be best suited for further investment in new broadband infrastructure.

Council says it's created an online survey on how fast people's broadband connections are and how they would benefit from faster broadband. Those answer will then be included with council's bid.

'The Government is not only asking local authorities to indicate which areas should have priority and why but also to demonstrate that they are willing to support broadband rollouts in their areas.

'You can help our council's bid for faster, more reliable broadband by filling out these surveys. It'll only take a few minutes. This information will go into the indicative bid which is due by July 3.”

In September a Digital Enablement Plan must be submitted that shows how the proposed upgrades will work with the community.

Infrastructure providers such as Chorus and Vodafone are also being asked to register their interest in participating in a tender process to deliver services under the three initiatives.

Economic Development programme manager Ben Dunbar-Smith says council understands the importance of better broadband and they've been working actively to improve services.

An example of this is the co-investment with Chorus to improve broadband speeds at the Kopu Business Park.

'Economic development is tied to technological innovation,” says Ben, 'so having fast broadband speeds on the Coromandel will help businesses, including people who work from home, as well as schools, charities and volunteer groups.

"We're going through another technological revolution right now. This one is based on the internet and broadband.”

If you're a business and would like to complete the survey visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/tcdcbroadband

If you're an individual, community group, schools, or charities visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/communitybroadband

To test your broadband speed search the internet for: "speed test" or visit www.speedtest.net

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will stump $152-$210 million more for the UFB initiative to increase the ratio of New Zealanders able to access fibre-optic cable technologies to at least 80 per cent

Thames and Whitianga are potential candidates for some of this money based on the methodology used in the original UFB roll-out.

Other Coromandel towns could be identified as candidates for funding. But Council must make a strong case to beat out the nationwide competition.

For rural areas, the RBI is being extended to the tune of $100 million. This will provide enhanced broadband speeds over existing copper telephone wires and over the wireless network.

There is a further $50 million in a Mobile Black Spots Fund to extend mobile coverage on main highways and key tourist areas.

For more information on broadband in the Coromandel visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's wepbsite at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/rb