NBN 3.0 telco coalition cautiously welcomes NBN 2.1

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 09 September 2010 08:04

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Alliance for Affordable Broadband (AAB) - the CEO's for seven telcos (now nine) that emerged last week to oppose the NBN says it is "cautiously optimistic" about the changes in NBN policy it expects to see as a result of Labor's negotiations to secure the support of independent MPs.

"We believe the 'outside in' approach is a step in the right direction, consistent with the fundamental elements of our position," the AAB said in a statement.

The AAB's initial position revealed on 31 August was for an approach broadly in line with that proposed by the Liberal Party.

"An 'outside in' approach ensures the Federal Government focuses on its primary role of delivering universal service where the markets have failed to do so. The direct investment by the Government in rural and remote networks is consistent with our position in this respect…[and] an 'outside in' approach will preserve existing infrastructure competition where it exists today, such as the metropolitan HFC networks."

However the alliance has tempered this support by saying more work needs to be done and warning that unless the NBN is imbued with costings and transparency it will "fail to carry the industry with it."

"We renew our call for a more appropriate mix of technologies, with a clearer mandate for: infrastructure-based competition; a greater role for 4G wireless; a commitment to build a national fibre backhaul network as a matter of priority,' the AAB said.

CONTINUED