ITWire

Negotiations are taking place between the Federal and Tasmanian governments to make an early start on the NBN rollout.

"Our opponents appear determined to opportunistically misrepresent our position on regional broadband," said Conroy, claiming that they also simultaneously criticise the government for limiting fibre coverage to 90 percent of the population and for over-investing in the NBN.
 
He also pointed out that the potential launch of two communications satellites to provide 100 percent coverage would also cater for "services over and above the 12Mbps benchmark."

"Experts agree that wireless and satellite will always be an important compliment to fibre broadband and that will be especially the case for large geographic spaces such as regional Australia," explained Conroy.

The government's plan for the NBN envisions a rollout beginning in Tasmania during the second half of this year, and on the mainland in early 2010.

It will be a wholesale-only network with open access, so a variety of ISPs and other service providers will use it to connect their customers.

While private investment will be sought, ownership restrictions will be applied to ensure the open-access regime survives.