Australian Government Reveals Panel to Assess FttN Proposals
In Australia, a new time line for an ambitious plan to develop a national fiber-to-the-node network, intended to reach 98 per cent of Australian homes, was outlined by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, who named an expert panel to advise the government on the network.
The panel will be assisted by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, as well as other specialist advisers who will give support in technical, legal and other matters pertinent to the roll-out.
“The government will formally call for innovative and competitive proposals to roll-out the new network with a view to having construction underway by the end of 2008. Proponents will have time to develop their proposals and we expect the panel will then make their recommendation to government in September,” Mr. Conroy said.
The plan has been hit by a delay four months because of a longer than expected time frame for confirming an expert panel and pressure from telecoms companies to extend the process.
See also: The 17 National Broadband Network Principles on BuddeBlog.
Source: Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, ZDNet Australia, Australian IT
