The Liberal opposition released their NBN policy last week. Despite having a highly competent Communications Minister, It has been a major hole for the Opposition as they have consistently chosen to oppose it (and at one point even threatened to rip it out of the ground). With public perceptions and lifestyles warming to a fast broadband network, this was always going to garner a fair bit of attention.
The opposition went on the cost-saving route that used copper in the last mile in a model 4 times slower and 2 times cheaper than the governments proposal. In addition, the oppositions proposal would require ugly street cabinets on most streets and we would still need to invest money in maintaining aging copper to the last leg of the household. Fortunately, most non-murdoch press reported both sides fairly.
Personally, I think there are cost savings that the Opposition could utilise that are currently missed opportunities - Why not increase the satellite footprint since a satellite will be launched anyway? this would allow the fixed wireless component to encroach on the fiber areas and reduce costs considerably. How about re-using the existing HFC cables that are in most densely populated residential areas? sure they are not the same fibre but are still reliable and currently under utilised in most areas?
Personally, I am 3.1 kms away from my exchange. I get flaky speeds that are getting slower and am over dropouts. If the NBN is going to be done, I expect any government to do it once and do it properly. Is that too much to ask?
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