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.
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. The network will represent the single largest investment in broadband infrastructure in Australias history.
The party to build the National Broadband Network will be selected through a competitive assessment process to maximise outcomes for the community. This process will be transparent and accountable.
In preparing proposals, proponents should have regard to the Request for Proposals documentation which details on how to lodge proposals are set out in the Request for Proposals.
On 7 August 2008 the Government published instruments setting out the network information that carriers are to provide for the National Broadband Network process, and the rules to safeguard the information.
The Telecommunications (National Broadband Network Designated Information) Determination 2008 (No. 1) specifies the network information selected telecommunications carriers are required to collect and provide to the Government.
The Telecommunications (National Broadband Network) Determination under subsection 531(4) 2008 (No. 1) sets out pre-conditions that recipients of the network information must meet prior to protected carrier information being disclosed to them.
The Telecommunications (National Broadband Network Restricted Recipients and Storage, Handling and Destruction of Protected Carrier Information) Rules 2008 (No. 1) sets out the rules that the recipients of the network information must comply with to ensure that the information is managed securely.
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 build the National Broadband Network with a view to identifying the successful proponent by the end of 2008.
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:
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.
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
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.
The Department has appointed a number of specialist advisers, following competitive tender processes, to assist with the National Broadband Network.
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To contact the National Broadband Network Taskforce, please use the details below: