Australian Government Publishes RFP for National Broadband Network
The Australian Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Mr. Stephen Conroy, yesterday announced the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) to roll-out and operate a National Broadband Network.
The government encourages interested parties to come forward with innovative proposals. These will be assessed by a panel of experts, who will then provide their recommendation to the government. By the end of year the government can announce the successful proponent and the new network build can start.
“This is a major step towards delivering on the government’s election commitment to enable world-class, high-speed broadband for all Australians,” Mr. Conroy said.
The National Broadband Network will represent the single largest investment in broadband infrastructure in Australia’s history. The government has committed up to $A4.7 billion and to considering any necessary regulatory changes to enable the roll-out.
The RFP details the scope of the network, which will:
- deliver minimum download speeds of 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of Australian homes and businesses;
- have the network rolled out and made operational progressively over five years using fiber-to-the-node or fiber-to-the-premises technology;
- support high quality voice, data and video services including symmetric applications such as high-definition video-conferencing;
- earn the Commonwealth a return on its investment;
- facilitate competition in the telecommunications sector through open access arrangements that allow all service providers access to the network on equivalent terms; and
- enable uniform and affordable retail prices to consumers, no matter where they live.
Further information on the Australian Broadband Network is available here.
The RFP documentation is available here.
Source: Australian Ministry for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
