Broadband Investment Fund
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Broadband Investment Fund (BIF).
On 5 February 2009 the Government announced that the Broadband Investment Fund will not proceed MORE>>
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Implementation of Broadband Investment Fund on hold
13/11/2008
Processes around implementation of the Broadband Investment Fund (BIF) have been suspended pending the formation of the new Government.
In accordance with the caretaker convention, which the Government is now operating under, the caretaker Government has decided to suspend further action on the BIF programme until the incoming Government is formed, and is able to make decisions on the future of the programme.
This includes next steps in relation to successful EOIs, ADA grants and consideration of Full Applications under the one-stage process.
MED will ensure that all applicants and other interested parties are kept informed of developments as government decisions in this area are made.
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Through these pages you will be able to access all the information you need to find out more about, and to apply to the BIF.
As part of Budget 2008 the Government announced a major contestable fund aimed at facilitating high speed broadband connections to businesses in urban centres and key users in the health and education sectors, to extend the reach of broadband into underserved regions, and to improve the resilience of New Zealand's international connections.
Click here to read the announcement of the BIF and the Media Release.
Click here to view the 43 submissions Government received on the draft process and criteria for urban and rural funding applications.
All documentation necessary to complete an application to the BIF is provided on this webpage and can be downloaded by following the links below.
Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit applications online, but hard copies of the documentation as well as further information about the BIF may be obtained by contacting:
The BIF Programme Administrator
Ministry of Economic Development
33 Bowen Street
PO Box 1473
Wellington
Email: broadband.investment@med.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 Broadband (0508 276 232)
For Media Enquiries, please contact Angus McLeod by phone at 04-474 2194 or by email at Angus.McLeod@med.govt.nz.
Applying to the BIF
Before starting the application process, all Applicants must read and understand the Guidelines for Applicants before deciding to apply for BIF funding in a Two-Stage Process or a One-Stage Process. After selecting which Process to follow, Applicants must then complete the necessary documentation as laid out in the Guidelines for Applicants.
All Applicants must also read the Urban Criteria and the Rural Criteria in order to determine if they are eligible to apply as an Urban or Rural Applicant. Once this has been decided, please complete and submit the corresponding documentation as indicated below.
Applicant Development Assistance (ADA)
Applicants at the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage may apply for ADA Grants to assist them in the preparation of a Full Application (FA) should their EOI be successful. An ADA Application must be completed and submitted by the Applicant in order to be considered for an ADA Grant.
Click here for the ADA Application
Link to Additional Applicant Resources