Good news for Australians

terminator69 Notable Member

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#1

Government calls for broadband bids.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/wireless...-broadband-bids/2008/04/12/1208024963946.html

The Australian government has called for bids for a $9.4 billion high-speed broadband network that will help the country catch up in competitiveness with its peers.

Australia has slower and more expensive internet access than many other developed countries and officials have warned Australia may become less competitive without faster, nationwide coverage.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said in a statement late on Friday the government wanted the fibre network to deliver minimum speeds of 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of Australian homes.

About 64 per cent of homes have broadband now. The vast distances in Australia and often inhospitable terrain make full penetration difficult.

The government is offering $4.7 billion in funding, which it wants the winning firm to match.

A consortium of nine firms led by Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications, and the former government monopoly Telstra Corp Ltd are expected to bid.

It has not been decided whether the network will deliver fibre to the neighbourhood "node", usually in each street, or directly to homes.

Conroy also suggested the separation of the network and services operations of the dominant telecom may be considered, as has happened recently in New Zealand.

"The government is prepared to consider changes to existing telecommunications regulations, to facilitate the roll-out of the network," he said.

Proposals are due by July 25 and a decision is expected in October.

"Telstra is ready to build this network, as long as it makes business sense to do so," Telstra spokeswoman Kate McKenzie said.

Analysts have said Telstra's existing copper and fibre network gave it a head start over any rivals, but it would be at loggerheads with the government over how much to charge for fast broadband.
Click to expand...

terminator69, Apr 13, 2008 IP

oldmentor Banned

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#2

thats a good step. hope that would cut the pressure from the internet users! saving some money for another burger!

oldmentor, Apr 13, 2008 IP

wisdomtool Moderator Staff

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#3

This is really good news, just hoping that the Internet bandwidth costs will come down correspondingly. It is crazy at present.

wisdomtool, Apr 13, 2008 IP

GameOver Well-Known Member

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#4

Yeah, thats great (said GameOver as his downloads in the background reached 50kb/s)

lol, I can get faster speeds but they are too expensive.

GameOver, Apr 13, 2008 IP

dairyman Notable Member

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#5

The news should definitely sound sweet to the ears of our Aussie dp members and now they can browse faster at cheaper rates
Wimax is the technology to be adopted in places where the distance is quite long and the terrain is inhospitable and the fiber optic connection is difficult to establish. What is the technology they are going to adopt?

dairyman, Apr 13, 2008 IP

w3bmaster Notable Member

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#6

I wonder when such things will happen in my country

Good for the aussies ....

w3bmaster, Apr 13, 2008 IP

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