High-speed Broadband

“This is a plan to future-proof Macquarie. Mr Howard’s wireless plan is an unreliable, obsolete system that will not cope with our future needs. Fibre-to-the-node offers speeds 40 times faster than we have now and the ability to upgrade the system for years to come.” – Bob Debus

After 11 years of neglect by the Howard Government, Australia faces the 21st Century with an antiquated, patchy and second-rate internet infrastructure.
As part of its commitment to boost productivity growth and build long-term economic prosperity, a Rudd Labor Government would revolutionise Australia’s internet infrastructure by creating a new, world-class National Broadband Network.

Labor will invest up to $4.7 billion in the visionary plan, in partnership with the private sector, for total funding of more than $8 billion. The plan includes:
1. Internet connections up to 40 times faster than current speeds for 98 per cent of Australians
2. Lower telephone bills for small business
3. Enhanced business services such as teleconferencing, video conferencing and virtual private networks
4. Enhanced capacity for services like e-education and e-health
5. High-definition, multi-channel and interactive TV services

A new national broadband network is critical to building the platform for economic growth, productivity and prosperity. Only Labor has the vision and the will to ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of the communications revolution.

Central-West Connection Woes

Central West business operators, local government representatives and personal computer users told Labor’s National Broadband Taskforce recently that the provision of high-speed broadband was essential to ensure the prosperity of the region.

Bob Debus invited the taskforce to investigate the coverage and speed of current broadband services. Taskforce chair Senator Stephen Conroy said Labor’s National Broadband Plan could supply reliable high-speed internet to residents of smaller villages in the Central West which do not have broadband.

Peel resident Ross Mitchell told the meeting he had collected 80 signatures on a petition to the Federal Government about the lack of broadband services to his town.

“Some people have satellite but we have nothing in Peel,” said Mr Mitchell. “There is no ADSL1, no ADSL2 – nothing. What can you do?”

Senator Conroy said Howard Government’s plan for a wireless system would not work effectively for regional and rural areas because the signal was weak and would be blocked by solid objects such as trees and hills. Using a shared spectrum meant the signal could be lost when using appliances such as microwave ovens and baby monitors.

Mark Gervasoni, a Bathurst fibre-optic installer and owner of a wireless broadband company, said there were “major problems” with trees blocking the line of sight for wireless systems.

“There’s nothing as good as fibre,” he said. “In 30 years, future generations are going to say that’s the smartest thing you could have done.”

Sandy Morrison, chairperson of the Central West Development Board and TAFE Board member, said a fibre-optic system was a “must have” for the Central West.

“This will be the driver of the future, especially in education,” he said. “Our ability to re-skill to address skills shortages will depend on distance education techniques.

“We must also have reliable high-speed broadband to attract business. I’m a farmer and I spend too much time sending and receiving emails because they take so long.”