All three schools based in the Chatham Islands became
better connected this April, with Network for Learning (N4L)
and Wireless Nation rolling out the Rural Connectivity
Group’s (RCG) new 4G network. N4L is proud to support this
initiative, which is a result of the Ministry of
Education’s mission to connect every school in Aotearoa,
even the smallest remote schools with less than ten
students.
The network gives students and teachers in
Kaingaroa School, Pitt Island School and Te One School
access to a more reliable internet connection and increased
internet speeds.
Prior to the upgrade, the Chatham
Islands frequently experienced internet outages due to their
remote location and wet and windy climate.
Philip
Graydon, Principal of Kaingaroa School says the internet is
three times faster than before.
“It’s now reliable
especially when our students are on Mathletics! Previously,
about 30% of Zoom calls would fail and drop out. Since the
install, no Zoom or Teams calls have failed.”
N4L
CEO, Larrie Moore says, “One of our priorities at N4L is
ensuring all schools and kura across the country have access
to a network that’s fit for purpose. Schools’ terrain
and remoteness can make this a challenge, so we’re
delighted to be able to bring 4G to these three
schools.
The new network will offer more learning
opportunities and experiences to ākonga, giving them
brighter futures,” he adds.
N4L worked closely with
Wireless Nation to deliver the 4G Fixed Wireless Broadband
service for the Chatham Islands schools.
“Wireless
Nation is delighted to partner with N4L to achieve a
successful upgrade rollout, despite challenges in
logistics.” says Wireless Nation General Manager, Andy
Derleth.
“The new 4G network is a major leap for the
community to have access to simple and easily deployable 4G
Wireless Broadband offerings,” he adds.
Rob Campbell,
Group Manager – Business Services, Te Puna Hanganga,
Matihiko comments: “A key objective for the Ministry of
Education is to reduce barriers to education, and
continually improving the Managed Network service is an
essential component to meet this in an increasingly digital
world. This improved service for some of New Zealand’s
most geographically remote schools means better connectivity
for the learners and their local communities. The Ministry
is very pleased with the work N4L and Wireless Nation have
done to enhance connectivity for schools on the Chatham
Islands.”
The new Chatham Island RCG network has
been possible because of the Government’s Rural Broadband
Initiative phase
two.