Conroy wades into wireless NBN debate

Renai LeMay
Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:10

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has waded into the debate about whether the growing popularity of 3G wireless broadband services has the potential to cannibalise National Broadband Network subscriptions, saying the two platforms are complementary.

In a wide-ranging speech last night in which he also delivered certainty about the future of wireless spectrum licensing, Conroy poured cold water on those like Exetel chief executive John Linton who believe wireless to be the future.

'The growth in wireless services does not have to be at the expense of fixed broadband, or vice versa,' he said. 'At a more technical level, wireless and fixed broadband technologies are complementary.'

The minister claimed the 'massive growth' in mobile services would actually drive greater use of fixed services, 'particularly if the trend towards centralised processing of data occurs in the internet cloud'.

He pointed out mobile broadband depended on fixed-line backhaul, and would benefit from the rollout of the NBN through more affordable backbone traffic. 'The Government's massive expansion of the fixed line capacity through the NBN will dramatically increase development of wireless services,' he said.