Australia - National Broadband Plans Version 1 - from Telstra, Terria & others

Synopsis

Telstra’s announcement in late 2005 regarding its plan to roll out a Fibre-to-the-Node network has certainly focused the debate on future infrastructure developments. After years of denial, the race to fibre the country started; however the early start did not result in any action. Telstra’s aim had more to do with limiting competition by obtaining a regulatory holiday. The government did not give in and a year later Telstra withdrew its plans. An Optus-led consortium (Terria) took Telstra to the test by offering their participation in the project, something that was opposed by Telstra. In mid-2007 they announced their proposed access charges, which are significantly lower that the prices that have been rumoured Telstra is planning to charge. Axia, Acacia and TransACT or some of the other contenders for the NBN. The new government is in favour of FttH and 2008 will certainly see the start on a new approach to national infrastructure. The report also includes summaries of the regulatory submission of the key players.