Date: |
26 Mar 2026, 5.30PM – 7.00PM |
duration: |
1 hr 30 mins |
Venue: |
WSP Palmerston North |
Address: |
49 Victoria Avenue Palmerston North |
Cost: |
Free event |
Join James Watts, founder of Inspire Net Limited, as he shares the evolution of connectivity across the Manawatū over the last four decades. Explore his perspective on how improved broadband can change lives and reshape regional communities.
Participate in an engaging Q&A session, then stay to connect with your peers over provided food and refreshments.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
James Watts is a Fellow of InternetNZ, a Life Time Service Award winner of Palmerston North City Council, a Massey University Business Link Award winner and an industry leader.
He started his career as an electrician in the late 1980's. He always had a passion for computers from my first one in 1981 at age 11. He started using the Internet via a connection to Massey when he was a Sparkie there, and was a big believer in how connectivity can change lives.
In 1998, people in Palmerston North were paying $279 for 100 hours of dial-up with Telecom, or $8.50/hour for dial-up with Clear, and it was just too expensive for locals, so he launched Inspire Net at $35 for 100 hours per 28 days.
Discover how forty years of evolving connectivity transformed lives across the Manawatū with James Watts, then join an interactive Q&A over provided refreshments.
Join James Watts, founder of Inspire Net Limited, as he shares the evolution of connectivity across the Manawatū over the last four decades. Explore his perspective on how improved broadband can change lives and reshape regional communities.
Participate in an engaging Q&A session, then stay to connect with your peers over provided food and refreshments.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
James Watts is a Fellow of InternetNZ, a Life Time Service Award winner of Palmerston North City Council, a Massey University Business Link Award winner and an industry leader.
He started his career as an electrician in the late 1980's. He always had a passion for computers from my first one in 1981 at age 11. He started using the Internet via a connection to Massey when he was a Sparkie there, and was a big believer in how connectivity can change lives.
In 1998, people in Palmerston North were paying $279 for 100 hours of dial-up with Telecom, or $8.50/hour for dial-up with Clear, and it was just too expensive for locals, so he launched Inspire Net at $35 for 100 hours per 28 days.
Presenters
Manawatu Branch
