Australia - Australia Connected - (Coalition Govt 2007)

Synopsis

The rollout of a commercial fibre broadband network in built up areas is a key component of the Australia Connected initiative, which was announced by the Government in June 2007. The Government announced it will conduct a competitive bids process and, as necessary, legislate to enable a high speed fibre broadband network to be built, without the need for any taxpayers’ money. For that purpose the Government established an Expert Taskforce to prepare competitive bids process guidelines and to conduct public consultation. The scheme built on previous initiatives such Connect Australia and Broadband Connect. Most of these plans were dumped by the new government in December 2007. The OPEL contract however, will be honoured.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Connect Australia
• 3. BROADBAND CONNECT
  • 3.1 The original plan
  • 3.2 Broadband Connect Contract Awarded
• 4. Australia Connected
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Analyses of Australia Connected
• 5. FttN plans, proposals and rumours
  • 5.1 Telstra and G9 (separate report)
  • 5.2 Deutsche Telekom interested in Australia?
• 6. Rapidly and massively changing environment
  • 6.1 Let the metropolitan broadband battle begin
  • 6.2 Now what Telstra?
  • 6.3 The telecommunications Act of 2007?
• 7. Related reports