[LINK] HIBIS: THE HIGHER BANDWIDTH INCENTIVE SCHEME

[David Boxall]

Hi all,

I don't remember seeing this mentioned on Link.

 From :    http://www.dcita.gov.au/telinfo/HiBIS%20page.htm

*What is HiBIS? *

The Australian Government is working with Internet service providers 
(ISPs) to bring higher bandwidth broadband services to regional 
Australia, in line with city prices, through a scheme called HiBIS (the 
Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme).

Under HiBIS, ISPs can apply to be a 'HiBIS provider'. This means they 
will receive an incentive payment from the Government to provide you, if 
eligible, with higher speed broadband access in line with city prices.

HiBIS providers receive an incentive payment of $1540 for premises with 
access to faster Internet services over a digital phone line (known as 
ISDN), or $3300 for premises without this access (to allow for the 
higher cost of satellite services). You benefit because providers use 
these incentive payments to reduce the price of services or to help fund 
the cost of rolling out cheaper services to new areas.

. . .

*What is a threshold service? *

A HiBIS threshold service has a peak download data speed of at least 
256kbps (at least five times faster than normal dialup Internet) and a 
peak upload speed of at least 64kbps with a monthly usage allowance of 
at least 500MB and be offered at a price for a three year package, 
including equipment, installation and monthly usage of no more than:

    * $2500 where the service is an ADSL service, or
    * $3000 where the service is not an ADSL service.