Crown Infrastructure Partners is offering a $2000 subsidy to anyone who can't get good broadband. Basically if you live outside the planned UFB and RBI areas then you are eligible.
After everyone applies, CIP will check if any local provider is willing to extend their network to cover you. If not, they will give you an one off payment of up to $2000 towards internet hardware of your choice, such as a satellite dish. No subsidy for monthly costs.
The Remote Users Scheme (RUS) is focused on increasing the availability of broadband connectivity in rural and remote New Zealand.
Digital connectivity programmes have worked to cover large parts of Aotearoa including many small communities, but there are still more remaining to be covered. These are some of the most remote areas and people across the country and are difficult to find a solution for.
Through the Remote Users Scheme, eligible households and communities in Aotearoa’s most remote areas – where broadband is not currently available and there is only access to voice calling and text services – will be able to apply for support. The Scheme will also be available in rural areas with poor internet coverage.
The first phase of RUS aims to provide a broadband internet service to an area by extending existing networks. Those still without coverage after this has been done, may be eligible to receive a one-off grant of up to $2,000 towards set up and installation costs of a suitable broadband solution.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the RUS, applicants should:
Have a principal residence in a rural or remote area. This could include:
- Owner occupied dwellings
- Multiple principal residences on a single property
- Tenanted dwellings
- Farmhouses occupied by share farmers (usually under a “right to reside” arrangement)
- Occupied dwellings on Māori land.
Not be capable of receiving a commercial broadband service or have a poor service. This will include both existing and planned coverage (if any) in the area.
How do I apply for RUS?
Just fill in the form here
We will need to collect some personal information from you regarding eligibility for this scheme.
To see how we look after your information securely, see our RUS Privacy Policy here
At a later stage you will need to provide:
- Proof of address
- Proof of principal residence
- Declaration of no or poor service availability where you live (which CIP will verify)
Further information is available here
Just in case anyone else was wondering what not having RBI qualifying internet means
https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/rural-broadband
"The RBI's current goal is broadband with peak download speeds of at least 5Mbps (megabits per second)"