RBI and Mobile Black Spot Funding decisions announced

MARKET RELEASE 30 August 2017 Rural Broadband Initiative and Mobile Black Spot Funding decisions announced Please find attached an announcement from the Communications Minister Simon Bridges regarding the Government investing $270 million to roll out Ultra-Fast Broadband to 190 more small towns, and extend rural broadband to another 74,000 households and businesses. As part of this investment the Rural Connectivity Group joint venture (a joint venture between the three largest mobile companies Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees) will be a partner with Crown Fibre Holdings on the Government's Rural Broadband Initiative and coverage of mobile black spots under the Mobile Black Spot Fund. The Rural Connectivity Group has secured between $150 million and $250 million of funding from the Government to help deliver these initiatives through the use of mobile technologies. Spark, as a member of the Rural Connectivity Group, has committed to invest a total of $25 million over 5 years in these initiatives. - ENDS - For media queries, please contact: Richard Llewellyn Head of Corporate Communications +64 (0) 27 523 2362 For investor relations queries, please contact: Dean Werder General Manager Finance and Business Performance +64 (0) 27 259 7176 End CA:00306418 For:SPK Type:GENERAL Time:2017-08-30 12:54:56