Internet Infrastructure

Information about Internet Infrastructure

The Internet is a network of many computers connected via telecommunication networks.  New Zealand has a nearly universal household telephone service. In 2003 there were 1.765 million main lines in operation, and 2.6 million mobile phones.  

As of December 2003 there were 474,395 Internet hosts in New Zealand, and 2.11 million Internet users or approximately 0.34% of the world’s total of 604million. 

As the guardian of the Internet for New Zealand, InternetNZ works to ensure that the Internet remains open and accessible to all New Zealanders, and is not captured by any one interest group.  The organisation lobbies on the issues of the day to ensure that all interests have a voice: access, e-commerce, privacy, legislation and more.  It also conducts or sponsors research into the rapidly changing areas of Internet impact - economic and social.

InternetNZ through its company .nz Registry Services Ltd (NZRS) actively manages the ".nz" domain name space to ensure that the Internet operates in a stable and secure manner.

InternetNZ promotes the self-regulation of the Internet Industry through the Internet Code of Practice.

What is the Internet Code of Practice?

The Internet Code of Practice was originally developed in 1999 and sets minimum service levels for Internet Service Providers (like Actrix or Xtra).   The Government endorses the Code and InternetNZ is currently undertaking of another round consultation to update the Code to reflect more positively the requirements of the internet today and the future.

The Aims of the Internet Code of Practice are:

• To ensure that information and procedures are in place for the protection of minors from accessing objectionable material over the Internet;

• To ensure that the information and procedures are in place so Internet users know how to limit access to protect a user from accessing inappropriate or objectionable material

• To ensure the fairness and accuracy of disclosure of business terms and conditions to the user public and community in general;

• To improve the standard of conduct within the industry;

• To provide public access to complaint handling and cost-effective redress mechanisms;

• To impose and regulate industry standards;

• To improve customer relations;

• To protect rights of access and free speech;

   

To find out more about the Code and its signatory members, or the Internet Society of New Zealand (InternetNZ) visit www.internetnz.net.nz