Australia creates strong national broadband policy

The United States could learn a little something from Australia. The land down under is now above the United States in terms of connectivity with their creation of an ambitious national broadband policy.

On April 11, the Australian Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Sen. Stephen Conroy announced an initiative that would create a National Broadband Network. The network would cover 98% of Australian homes and businesses, and would be supplemented by an additional program called the “Australian Broadband Guarantee,” which provides financial incentives to ISPs operating in underserved rural areas. 

The National Broadband Network will require minimum download speeds of 12 megabits per second and will be fully rolled out in five years using only fiber-to-the-node or fiber-to-the-premises technology.  Another mandated feature of the plan is that retail prices to the consumer will be uniform and affordable. Conroy describes the envisioned results of the project:

“The new network will change the way Australians communicate and do business, and demonstrates the priority this Government is giving to building Australia’s future.”

For the company that is awarded the project, the Australian government will contribute AUS$4.7 billion. While this is only a small portion of the final cost of the project, it shows the Australian government is invested heavily in the project. It also gives the government more of an ability to ensure that the goals of the project are met and that the company operates fully in the public interest.

Australia shows US how a real broadband strategy works (Ars Technica)

Government invites National Broadband Network Proposals (Press Release)

National Broadband Network (Australian Government)

Australian Broadband Guarantee (Australian Government)