Telescum

Telecom is pulling the plug on sponsoring technology in NZ schools.

It has stated that it is cutting the 14 year programme because its objectives have been met. However it is trying to find sponsors to continue with the project. So does that mean the objectives weren't met, or only Telecom's objectives were met?

The programme has pushed $120 million dollars into schools since it started in 1993.

Nominated schools have been receiving between $2500 and $8000 a year from Telecom residential customer spending to spend on digital cameras, broadband services, and computer hardware. This, in turn spurred the schools to recommend people to use Telecom.

Without this money, schools would find it hard to buy new technology so National MP Kate Wilkinson is starting a petition to get Telecom to continue with the programme.

This could be both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it will break another link between the public and Telecom, allowing them to see that there are other providers. However this would put technology costs back on the government and fundraising if Telecom fails to find another sponsor(s).

Either way, Telecom has every right to make a commercial decision to end it.

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