Wireless Auckland

Auckland City Council has launched a city wi-fi broadband service today covering seven zones as it strives to help stimulate business activity.

The service covers Aotea Square, Karangahape Road, Ponsonby, Remuera, and Parnell as well as the Viaduct Basin and Westhaven.

Users can access the wireless service at speeds of up to two megabits per second for $3 per hour, $6.50 per day or $30 per week.

This is good news since accessing the Internet in Auckland has always been a bit of a pain. The cost of a monthly data card would not justify its use, so I have relied on friends to access their broadband bandwidth when in the 'City of Sails'.

I think though that Auckland might just have missed a trick. Given the investment in the set-up, they could have launched this as a free service. I am not personally too concerned about 3 bucks, but imagine the PR benefit of profiling Auckland globally as an international city with world class (free) wireless infrastructure.

OK, I'll just imagine.

Auckland Bound

I have almost given up blogging about my trips to Auckland. They are now so frequent that the girls in the Mercer service station start toasting my Pokeno Bacon sandwich as I walk in through the door.

Tomorrow is no exception. It's a session with Lowndes Jordan and then a business dinner. On a Friday. And in Auckland. The Strand - take note.

Beachhead Landing

I have posted blogs before about NZTE's Beachhead Program.

Tomorrow I enter the Lion's Den. Well actually, Lionel has assured me it is not that bad! I am traveling to Hamilton to present Pingar's case to the NZ Beachhead Board. I cannot really say much more than that at present. It is an important part of our strategy to develop our presence in the UK. This is not so much 'market entry', this is more 'market expansion'.

And then it's Auckland bound. For not one, but for two days. Ever since we launched 'Stay in the Bay' two years ago with Priority One, my diary has conspired to keep me out of it. Needs must however, so it will be great to catch up with Dave & Angela who are kindly providing the bed for the stay.

And then it really is back to Tauranga. Next week looks like I could be spending more time in my home town than usual. Let's though see what Outlook has to say about that at the end of the week.

4 Days + 1,200 Kms

Driving past Mt Ruapehu....

Jacqui and I have just returned from Wellington. It is a long drive, but then that's New Zealand.

Ever since Microsoft announced that Pingar was now part of the Startup Accelerator Program, opportunities have sprung up. The meetings in Wellington reflected that.

In a couple of postings last week, I spoke about Tauranga's software development base. Wellington has one too. There will I guess be many more trips to the capital over the next few months. Finding potential partners in the Windy City will be high on my list of objectives.

It is an interesting comparison to Auckland. Being only 2.5 hours drive from Tauranga, Auckland clients can be managed by Tauranga-based partners. Wellington cannot.

The tyranny of distance once again kicks in.

The final 20.7 kms

Welcome to Manukau

Over the next few weeks, the diary indicates a fair few journeys from Tauranga to Auckland.

There are two alternatives: a 2hr 45min drive or a 35min flight. With Tauranga airport only 15mins away, the flight option sounds promising. That option ends when you land at Auckland International (Manukau).

I travel a lot: Heathrow, Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, LA. You name it, I've recently done it. Sadly, Auckland International stands out. Not for its internal services. They compare well. It is the Airport's chronic connectivity with Auckland's CBD that mark it out as being hopelessly out of step. And for a sprawling City the size of Auckland, connectivity with outer suburbs makes it even more remote.

There is no direct train connection and infrequent shuttles. Taxis are the only genuine alternative to the business traveller, making the 2hr 45min drive from Tauranga, the preferred travel option. Auckland Regional Council has apparently raised once more the impact of a direct rail connection between the Airport and the CBD. Not for the first time, an action plan is to be drawn up.

Not for the first time, the same conclusion will almost certainly result. New plan, no action.