Australia - National Broadband Plan Version 1 - Analysis RFP

Synopsis

In early 2007 the then Labor Opposition launched their National Broadband Plan. This was developed against the policies of the then Government. It was hoped that Labor, now in Government, would use its unique opportunity to fix the long-standing problems in the telecoms market, which had led to high consumer prices, lack of innovation and very little effective competition. Its Request for Proposals document doesn’t address any of these issues and could lead to a continuation of the current unsatisfactory situation. Telstra is the only one who can successfully bid for a national solution under the RFP but they have already indicated that they will offer high-speed broadband at prices that BuddeComm indicates will be unaffordable to 60% of Australians.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Introduction – overview of government’s RFP
• 3. How did we get to where we are now?
• 4. RFP is addressing the symptoms rather than the cause
• 5. Government is shying away from making the tough decisions
• 6. Choice: Telstra’s monopolistic profits or affordable consumer prices
• 7. Lack of leadership will haunt the government
• 8. Structural changes are the only solution
• 9. Money can’t buy my love
• 10. BuddeComm’s predicted outcomes of the RFP process
• 11. Where is the regulator?
• 12. The Minister is again raising the bar for himself
• 13. Related reports: