Conroy knocks the NBN knockers

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 12:26

Business IT - Technology

The NBN will also support other types of infrastructure apart from electricity supply. Conroy pointed to the potential for monitoring structures such as bridges as well as water supplies and usage.

Conroy also poured cold water on suggestions that consumers will face monthly bills of at least $200 to use the NBN.

"Industry players and commentators expect the National Broadband Network to stimulate competition and support affordable prices," he said.

The minister quoted Rosemary Sinclair, managing director of the Australian Telecommunications Users Group as dismissing the idea of an NBN costing end-users several hundred dollars a month as "fanciful nonsense."

And he pointed to the way Internode will be offering 100Mbps FTTH for $100 per month in greenfields developments.

"[T]he NBN will open up opportunities for the delivery of a whole new range of new revenue-generating services. Much of the commentary seems to ignore these possibilities and potential revenue streams," said Conroy.

So, how optimistic are you feeling about NBN pricing to consumers and businesses?