Some of the country's leading broadband visionaries and pioneers are assembling at Federated Farmers in Wellington this week to set an agenda for the future.

Communications and IT Minister Steven Joyce has revealed his disregard for New Zealand's telecommunications infrastructure, Labour's Communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran said today.

Recently announced proposals by the Government to reform the Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) and create a new levy to fund the development of rural broadband are bad for the economy and everyday Kiwis, says Hon Rodney Hide, Leader of ACT New Zealand.

Labour remains concerned that Government plans for rural broadband will create a digital divide between urban and rural New Zealand.

Federated Farmers has welcomed the new rural telecommunications plan announced today but is urging Government to do more.

"This is progress in the right direction, but it's just the first step," says Federated Farmers Chief Executive Conor English.

The installation of a world-class music console in the University of Otago's Albany Street studio has set the stage for Dunedin to strengthen its place as a formidable force in music production, says the Head of Otago's Department of Music Professor Henry Johnson.

The government has finalised its plans for rural telecommunications with Cabinet yesterday signing off on proposals for the roll out of high speed broadband in rural areas and the reform of the Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO).

Pacific Fibre, an early stage international fibre venture founded by a group including New Zealand businessmen Stephen Tindall, Sam Morgan and Rod Drury, announced its plans today, aiming to break the digital divide between New Zealand, Australia and the rest of the world.

Kordia CEO Geoff Hunt is welcoming the initiative from Xero boss Rod Drury to build a high-capacity undersea fibre cable connecting New Zealand, Australia and the USA.

HP today introduced its first multitouch-enabled tablet for business users as well as notebook PCs tailored for both enterprise and small and midsize businesses (SMBs).

The additions to the HP portfolio include: