[LINK] ACT broadband to go ahead

[Darrell Burkey]

Ian Johnston wrote:
> 
> If (a privatised) TransAct were to become the "monopoly" provider of
> bandwidth across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), then I wonder
> whether we would see ubiquitous and affordable bandwidth.  On the
> other hand, if there were competitive supply of bandwidth end-users
> may see affordable access and usage charges.
 
I wouldn't hold my breath on the "affordable" aspect. I went to a public
meeting regarding TransACT and asked about pricing. I was told that it
was irrelevant as it was only a trial and that TransACT was only
interested in providing the infrastructure for other parties to provide
services and content. Fair enough really, but my understanding of this
network is that it will not provide direct Internet access. Apparently
this will be provided by ISPs via a gateway service. Seems a bit short
sighted to me.

I might also add that the few discussions I have had with residents of
Aranda and the talks I've had with people who visited the TransACT shop
front in Aranda painted a much different picture than what we heard in
the press regarding how successful the trial was and what it had to
offer. Although, I believe a few local consultants did quite well out of
it. 

I hope that I am wrong but it looks to me like TransACT is interested in
the possible lucrative business of connecting projects that can pay for
premium services and therefore  the importance of connectivity will
drown in the pursuit of profit. Who here could afford to move data at
broad band speeds at $.19/Meg or more? There really isn't much point in
high speed access if no one can afford it now is there? But I'll attempt
to stay open minded about it and look forward to the possibility of
exciting projects. :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darrell Burkey                       Ph  6201 5094
Mgr Information Mgt & Progress       Fax 6201 5391
University of Canberra               Mbl 0408 622 647