Gov't's rush to FTTN: commit in haste, repent at leisure

Stuart Corner
Monday, 18 June 2007 18:00

Opinion and Analysis

The 'Blueprint' was decidedly cool on FTTN: "While fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) and fibre-to-the-premises can provide fast broadband speeds, they are expensive to deploy and require high levels of 'per-household' investment by broadband providers. Expenses can include the digging of new trenches and/or the replacement of existing infrastructure which is already profitable."

In her forward to the Blueprint Coonan said: "Australia has an opportunity to get the settings right for the next phase of broadband development. In looking to the future, it is essential for all levels of government and industry to adopt a strategic and coordinated approach to the development of this scalable next generation infrastructure. All levels of government, as well as industry, have a role to play in facilitating the roll out of next generation services that Australian consumers want and need."

Well said, but a pledge that will be honoured in the breach not the observance. In its determination to regain the imitative from the ALP, and no doubt to re-assert its authority over Telstra's outrageous campaign of bullying and misinformation, the Government is opting for a quick fix that could set Australia back years.