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National Broadband Network

As a key element of its plan for the future, the Australian Government has committed to provide up to $4.7 billion and to consider necessary regulatory changes to facilitate the roll-out of a new open access, high-speed, fibre-based broadband network, providing downlink speeds of at least 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of Australian homes and businesses.

The network will represent the single largest investment in broadband infrastructure in Australia's history.

Request for Proposals

On 11 April 2008, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, announced the release of a Request for Proposals to roll out and operate a new, open access, high-speed, fibre-based broadband network.

Proposals for the National Broadband Network were due by noon Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time on 26 November 2008.

Evaluation of Proposals

Proposals to build the National Broadband Network will be assessed through a competitive assessment process to maximise outcomes for the community. This process will be transparent and accountable.

The Panel of Experts (see below) has responsibility for evaluating proposals received to roll-out and operate the network. In undertaking its assessment, the Panel of Experts is supported by specialist advisers and a range of Australian Government Departments and agencies. Consistent with its Terms of Reference, the Panel is expected to evaluate proposals and report to the Minister in early 2009.

Panel of Experts

On 11 March 2008, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy announced the Panel of Experts that will assess proposals to rollout and operate the National Broadband Network.

The Panel is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Ms Patricia Scott.

The other members of the Panel are:

  • Dr Ken Henry AC, Treasury Secretary.
  • John Wylie, Lazard Carnegie Wylie CEO.
  • Laureate Professor Rod Tucker, University of Melbourne.
  • Professor Emeritus of Communications, Reg Coutts, University of Adelaide.
  • Tony Shaw, former Australian Communications Authority Chairman.
  • Tony Mitchell, Allphones Chairman.

Biographies of panel members are available in the Minister's announcement of 11 March 2008.

The Panel consulted with industry and the public on the specifics of the Request for Proposals.

Fibre Connections to Schools initiative

The Minister for Education is progressing the Government's Fibre Connections to Schools initiative, which complements the National Broadband Network process. Further information on this initiative is available on the This link sends you off DBCDE's websiteDepartment of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Specialist Advisers

The Department has appointed a number of specialist advisers, following competitive tender processes, to assist with the National Broadband Network.

  • KPMG Corporate Finance (Aust) Pty Ltd has been appointed as the Investment, Financial and Commercial Adviser
  • Gibson Quai - AAS Pty Ltd has been appointed as the Technical Adviser
  • Corrs Chambers Westgarth has been appointed as the Legal Adviser
  • Frontier Economics Pty Ltd has been appointed as the Regulatory Economics Adviser
  • Following a call for Expression of Interests to all members of the Department's Legal Services Panel, the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) was appointed as probity adviser for the NBN project under the Department's Deed of Standing Offer with AGS.

Contact information

To be informed of updates to this website, you can subscribe.

To contact the National Broadband Network Taskforce, please use the details below:

Email: nationalbroadbandnetwork@dbcde.gov.au

  • Document ID: 80649 |
  • Last modified: 26 November 2008, 1:33pm