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Bill Bennett
Freelance journalist.
Auckland-based Bill Bennett writes technology and business stories that are directly relevant to New Zealand readers.
His emphasis is on telecommunications, but he also covers other aspects of technology and business. You can find his features in the New Zealand Herald and hear him regularly on RNZ Nine to Noon and the NZ Tech Podcast.
Bennett's The Download Weekly newsletter is published every Friday. You can sign up for it here.
If you want to support his work, you can make a donation to his PressPatron account.
Bill Bennett - Latest News [Page 7]
Wellington College first school to Hyperfibre
Tuesday, 12 July 2022, 6:34 pm | Digitl
For schools like Wellington College, a standard UFB fibre connection is not enough. Hyperfibre removes the congestion. Wellington College upgrades to Hyperfibre Wellington College is the first school in New Zealand to connect using Chorus’ Hyperfibre. ... More >>
Download Weekly - Southern Cross lights Next cable
Tuesday, 12 July 2022, 6:31 pm | Digitl
The Southern Cross Next cable doubles New Zealand's international data capacity. Southern Cross lights Next cable Southern Cross Cables hit the switch on its 72 Tbps trans-Pacific Next cable on Thursday. The move doubled capacity on routes between ... More >>
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2: Well built mobile review
Tuesday, 12 July 2022, 6:25 pm | Digitl
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn’t break any new ground, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better designed, better made laptop in the same price range. More >>
Download Weekly - $60 million for more rural connections
Friday, 17 June 2022, 10:18 am | Digitl
Digital economy and communications minister earmarks $60 million for more rural connections. Budget gives Clark $60 million for more rural connections David Clark, the digital economy and communications minister, announced the government will spend ... More >>
Truly Ergonomic Cleave review: Odd, comfortable keyboard
Wednesday, 15 June 2022, 12:43 pm | Digitl
Truly Ergonomic’s marketing claims the Cleave is the most comfortable keyboard on the planet and will improve your productivity. The claim is far from ridiculous, but there should be a few qualifiers in there. You may see a benefit, but don’t ... More >>
Download Weekly - New Zealand tech slipping behind
Sunday, 12 June 2022, 6:16 pm | Digitl
Aotearoa’s Digital Priorities in 2022, a report from Tuanz, sponsored and promoted by Vodafone, suggests New Zealand is at a “tipping point” and “slipping behind the world on key measures of digital economic performance”. More >>
Hard to respect flawed Network Readiness Index
Sunday, 12 June 2022, 6:10 pm | Digitl
Tuanz and Vodafone remind us that New Zealand needs to focus on digital performance. See New Zealand tech slipping behind . More >>
Average fibre speed passes 400 Mbps
Saturday, 4 June 2022, 2:05 pm | Digitl
New Zealand's average fibre speed passes the 400 Mbps milestone. Chorus tests a new network application. Average fibre speed passes 400 Mbps, uptake at 69 percent Customers on New Zealand’s fibre broadband network are now seeing average speeds ... More >>
The Download Weekly - Callander lays out 2degrees' stall
Saturday, 4 June 2022, 1:51 pm | Digitl
With the merger complete, 2degrees CEO Mark Callander shares his initial plans for the business. More >>
Are we happy living in Handy's Age of Unreason?
Saturday, 4 June 2022, 1:44 pm | Digitl
In 1989 Charles Handy wrote The Age of Unreason. It's a book that looked forward to a time where telecommuting would be an everyday reality. More >>
The Download Weekly - Vodafone FibreX back in court
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 12:10 pm | Digitl
Vodafone and the Commerce Commission head back to court over FibreX in a week the TCF issues broadband marketing codes that should avoid similar problems in the future. FibreX record fine not enough for Commerce Commission The Commerce Commission has ... More >>
Budget 2022 earmarks $20 million for NZ software
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 12:08 pm | Digitl
New Zealand’s 2022 Budget includes $20 million that will be spent over the next four years on supporting our technology sector . More >>
Pages 12: Apple’s excellent free word processor
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 6:39 pm | Digitl
If you use a Mac or an iPad, Apple’s Pages 12 could be the only word processor you need. It’s free, easy to master and, unless you are a lawyer or an academic it includes everything you are likely to need. More >>
WiFi Calling lets you phone without a cell signal
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 6:30 pm | Digitl
Our house has never had the best cellular reception. It can be hit and miss. Sometimes calls drop out, other times the audio quality is poor. It’s variable there are days when the back deck is a dead spot on other days there’s no signal in the home ... More >>
Infrastructure Commission wants digital strategy
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 6:26 pm | Digitl
Earlier this month Te Waihanga, New Zealand’s infrastructure commission, tabled its first Infrastructure Strategy : Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa . More >>
The Download Weekly – Southern Cross Next cable live in July
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 6:21 pm | Digitl
July will see the Southern Cross Next submarine cable almost double New Zealand's international data capacity. More >>
Is upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 a smart move?
Sunday, 8 May 2022, 1:31 pm | Digitl
Upgrading your home network to Wi-Fi 6 will give you the full benefit of a fast broadband connection but it may be best to wait until you update your devices. More >>
Mercury NZ rising in retail broadband, mobile
Sunday, 8 May 2022, 1:27 pm | Digitl
Mercury NZ told the NZX its NZ$467 acquisition of Trustpower’s retail business is now unconditional . More >>
Phone shipments tumble 9 percent in first quarter
Sunday, 8 May 2022, 1:22 pm | Digitl
IDC reports worldwide phone shipments tumbled 8.9 percent in the first quarter of 2022 when compared with 2021. More >>
Download Weekly - Final UFB leg secures West Coast network
Sunday, 8 May 2022, 1:09 pm | Digitl
Final UFB leg secures West Coast network resilience A 250km fibre connection between Fox Glacier and Haast completes the project giving the West Coast modern and resilient communications. Until now the region has depended on two lines. One runs along State ... More >>
