UPDATED with Orcon comment. PLUS: The mixed fortunes of Kiwi tech companies with offshore helpdesks.

UPDATED 2PM: State-owned company books write-down on early digital TV switchover; spends heavily projects including the Orcon Genius and onKor IP network.

Kordia seizes on Telstra's 4G "lightening rollout" across the Tasman in another bid to undermine Telecom-Vodafone's success in the government's $300 million rural broadband tender.

Chief executive wastes no time laying into the Telecom-Vodafone win in the $300m rural broadband tender. [UPDATED WITH VODAFONE RESPONSE]

Kordia is offering Aucklanders 15 minutes' free access to its Metro WiFi network today.

The state-owned networking operator and broadcast infrastructure said it wants to get office workers out into the sun, and encourage them to hold meetings in cafes (participating outlets are listed here).

Don't walk on; buy
Kordia is also no doubt looking to pick up interest in its wireless network, whose traffic so far is modest.