Broadcasting minister sees more media-ISP partnerships

At Stuff, Tom Pullar-Strecker reports on an interview with newly appointed Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi, who says more media firms could partner with internet service providers (ISPs), including free-to-air TV broadcasters.

Faafoi says: “I think you will start seeing now a lot more talk of ‘dance partners’ starting to get together and thinking about what the future for them is as an internet service provider attached with a traditional media provider.”

Stuff, formerly Fairfax, is already in this position, as it owns Stuff Fibre. Vodafone attempted something similar last year before its merger with Sky TV was blocked by the Commerce Commission. Spark told Pullar-Strecker that it has no immediate plans but acknowledged this is an evolving space.

Strengthening public broadcasting

Faafoi says he wants a healthy private media sector, but strengthening public broadcasters is “non-negotiable.” He told Stuff that if ISPs and media firms joined forces, consumers might have to pay for content previously available for free, such as free-to-air TV.

The interview also revealed the government had examined the cost of making TVNZ 1 a non-commercial channel, but Faafoi says the numbers did not stack up.

Orcon uses Google WiFi to lure Gigantic plan customers

Orcon is running a Google WiFi promotion. Customers signing for one of the company's top speed Gigantic gets a Google WiFi device as part of the deal.

The hardware is a mesh router. It helps a home wireless network reach places not served by a single central wireless router.

Orcon says Gigantic plan sales are running hot at the moment; around a quarter of all sales. This would be higher than with most other retail service privoders. It says one advantage of the promotion is that support calls are down. That's because people experience better home WiFi performance.

Frost & Sullivan says 61 Percent of NZ Enterprises plan SD-Wan deployments

Frost & Sullivan says 61 percent of New Zealand enterprises plan to deploy SD-WAN in the next two years. Banking and the financial sector will lead the way. Researchers asked 150 companies in New Zealand and Australia about plans. They found 49 percent intend to replace branch routers with an SD-Wan appliance.

Spark wins Heineken Champions Cup Rugby rights

Spark has won the rights to broadcast the Heineken Champions Cup Rugby for the next four years. The Heineken Champions Cup is Europe's professional club rugby competition. It starts this month and the final is in May. TVNZ will two games a week on its free-to-air Duke channel until Spark's own platform is ready. The company says it is scheduled for early 2019. When that's in place all the games will be both live and on-demand.

Commerce Commission appointments

The government has reappointed Sue Begg and Elisabeth Welson as members of the Commerce Commission. John Crawford is a new associate member. Ms Begg stays on as deputy chairperson until 2021. Welson remains a member until 2020. She is involved in preparation for implementing a new regulatory framework for telecommunications under the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill.

Reannz starts Hawaiki service

Research network specialist Reannz says it has launched its Hawaiki cable capacity. It says this is the first time New Zealand researchers have had a dedicated high-speed connection to the US.

Chief executive Nicole Ferguson says: “Researchers no longer need to resort to using couriers and external hard drives to transfer big complex research around New Zealand or around the world. They have direct connectivity across 15,000 kilometres to the United States which puts them on a par with their global peers."

Huawei unveils Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro models

Huawei announced two new Android phone models: the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro. The top-of-the-line Mate 20 Pro has a fingerprint reader embedded under the screen, which means almost the entire front of the phone is given over to its display.

The phone also has quick charging, wireless charging and the ability to reverse its wireless charging so that it can deliver power to accessories such as wireless earbuds. The Mate 20 costs $1200 and the Mate 20 Pro is $1500. Spark and 2degrees will sell the phones.

Xiaomi to open NZ phone store

Chinese mobile phone brand Xiaomi will open a store in Auckland's Sylvia Park shopping mall next month. Xiaomi, also known as Mi, is the largest phone maker not hitherto active in New Zealand and joins a crowded, overserved market. The company is known for selling cheap Android handsets. Elsewhere Commsday reports Xiaomi plans to launch a 5G handset next week.

Intel: 5G tipping point in 2025

Chip maker Intel says 2025 will be the tipping point for 5G entertainment with more than half of all wireless revenue coming from next generation mobile services.

The report “5G Economics of Entertainment Report” commissioned by Intel and published by Ovum says 5G wireless media spend will ramp up fast. By 2028 5G will account for 80 percent of global wireless media revenue. The report says immersive applications, that's augmented and virtual reality will deliver a new channel for content providers.

CSE-Genesis mobile radio appointments

CSE-Genesis, a radio communciations business has hired Steffen Kennerley as engineering solutions manager and Stuart Dunthorne as Technical Services Manager. The pair have both moved to CSE-Genesis from Team Talk. The company says the hires are part of its move to expand its digital mobile radio business in New Zealand.