28 October 2014

Australia’s broadband is again at the crossroads. A long term framework to encourage investment in “deep fibre” networks for residential, business and mobile use is missing.

The National Broadband Network is now a monopoly focussed on multiple technologies (HFC, FTTN, FTTP, Wireless and Satellite).

Government funding is limited to fibre investment in FTTP for approximately 25% of households and FTTN for 45% of households.

Private sector investment is limited and being actively discouraged by proposed license conditions on new entrants entering the fixed broadband market.

Indecision about whether to follow a private sector led infrastructure competition model or government funded utility “deep fibre” model is likely to leave Australia trailing other comparable countries on broadband takeup and speed benchmarks.

The following presentation highlights the choices and dilemmas facing Australian broadband