[LINK] How far the fibre?

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Craig Sanders wrote:
<snip>
> broadband is not a magic wand.
> 
> no amount of broadband is going to encourage large numbers of tech &
> other skilled workers to move to the middle of nowhere, with no doctors,
> no hospitals, no cafes, no restaurants, no cinema, no shops, and NO
> JOBS! - in short, nothing but desert and rocks and the occasional tree.
> 
> regional cities & towns, sure. people might move there. and there's the
> population density to justify broadband (and, more importantly, many
> other services).
> 
> rather than waste millions getting fibre-optic cable to a community of
> half a dozen people, spend it on upgrading infrastructure in regional
> towns and cities to make them more attractive places to live for those
> in the capital cities.
> 
<snip>
Craig,

While I agree with you, and disagree with Karl, about fibre wiring the continent.

Though you haven't used the phrase, I disagree with your implication about the 
value of Communications/Internet access. The Internet does provide valuable 
education/information benefits to remote and city communities (eg school of the 
air - based out of Alice Springs, flexible tertiary and vocational training 
options). It is just fibre is not on the critical path.

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: 0414 869202