Slideshow: ICT leaders gather for Digital Summit

David Cunliffe emphasises need for investment

The Digital Future Summit is under way in Auckland. Leaders of New Zealand's ICT community will network and thrash-out an update to the government's Digital Strategy over the next two days.

The Summit has a broad agenda, featuring government and community representatives as well as business and other stakeholders.

Communications Minister David Cunliffe, in his address at last night's cocktail kick-off, emphasised the Summit is designed to produce actionable ideas. In another speech this morning, he emphasised the need for increased broadband investment and a willingness to look at "non-traditional" funding models to finance this. He also signalled government support for another international cable to improve the resilience of New Zealand's international connectivity.

He said the cost of international connectivity was a significant portion of broadband users' fees and needed to be reduced.

Computerworld will provide more reports of the Summit both online and in next week's print edition.