Senator Conroy Gets Things Rolling
Senator Stephen Conroy has started the process to build Australia’s new national broadband network. The Request for Proposals has been released and in it are a set of guidelines that are intended to aim the project in the desired direction.
The Request for Proposals details the scope of the National Broadband Network, which will:
deliver minimum download speeds of 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of Australian homes and businesses
have the network rolled out and made operational progressively over five years using fibre-to-the-node or fibre-to-the-premises technology
support high quality voice, data and video services including symmetric applications such as high-definition video-conferencing
earn the Commonwealth a return on its investment
facilitate competition in the telecommunications sector through open access arrangements that allow all service providers access to the network on equivalent terms
nable uniform and affordable retail prices to consumers, no matter where they live
The federal government has allocated about AU$4.7 billion to this project.