Aside from the $1.35 billion being invested in the national ultra-fast broadband network, the New Zealand government has been working on an extensive school network upgrade project known as SNUP.

More precisely it’s announced an extension to the existing SNUP (School Network Upgrade Project). This latest announcement is an additional $50 million will be added to the project from the governments Future Investment Fund and Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said the project would be completed two years ahead of schedule. This funding boost brings the total budget over the next four years to $136 million.

Up to 1,400 schools are set to receive the upgrades, which are broke into three parts. Already underway are the internal network switch upgrades, while the Wireless & Cabling phases are in the middle of the tender process.

Vendors and service providers wishing to participate in the upgrading of school wireless networks have already been through an information gathering phase, with firm bids due in June and the preferred wireless vendors and service organisations announced in August.

"Many students I talk to want wireless so that they can do schoolwork wherever they are in the school," said Ms Kaye.

"We believe in the value of providing affordable, uncapped, high-speed, quality connections that will create learning opportunities for all students."