[LINK] NBN Broadband Plan

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Tom writes,

> TV transmitters could only send signals a limited distance and so an 
> area could be licensed. There was limited radio spectrum and so only a 
> few channels could be licensed. Broadcasters had to build expensive 
> transmitters and so had to have the prospect of an audience to cover
> costs. Many of these restrictions did not apply to Digital TV but the 
> broadcasters have so far managed to have the analogue restrictions 
> applied to digital TV. These limitations do not apply at all to the NBN 
> and it will be interesting to see how the existing Australian TV 
> broadcasters go trying to have them imposed so as to maintain their 
> oligopoly.


Somewhat related .. (from the Federal member for this electorate) ..


> From:   Jo Shannon, for Sharman Stone, MP <Jo.Shannon at aph.gov.au>
> Date:   Fri, 8 Jan 2010 09:07:16 +1100 
> Subject:  Less talk and more action: TV Access for the bush 
 
Media release: Less talk and more action: TV Access for the bush 

The Rudd Government has rural people waiting with baited breath to see if 
their satellite solution for better television access in the bush will 
actually eventuate.

The Government is proposing to increase every Australian’s digital 
television access to 16 channels for free.

"Although the Governments recent announcement is welcomed, let’s hope 
Labor doesn’t follow its usual path of making and breaking promises," Dr 
Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray said.

"Labor’s $43 billion Broadband package promised to bring faster internet 
access to every corner of Australia, but then the fine print read that 
the high speeds would not be extended to towns of less than 1,000 people."

"This leaves more than 30 townships within Murray without access to this 
faster service. Let’s hope the digital television network won’t be the 
same," Dr Stone said.

--

Cheers,
Stephen