[LINK] Conroy appointed to UN's broadband commission

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Conroy appointed to UN's broadband commission
By Liz Tay
May 11, 2010 4:38 PM
itnews
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/174375,conroy-appointed-to-uns-broadband-commission.aspx

The United Nations has appointed Australian Communications Minister 
Senator Stephen Conroy as a founding member of its new Broadband 
Commission for Digital Development.

Established this week by the UN's International Telecommunication Union, 
the Commission aims to define strategies for accelerating broadband roll 
out worldwide.

Conroy joins commission officials from Finland, Uruguay, Singapore, 
India, Switzerland and the US. It is co-chaired by Rwandan president 
Paul Kagame and Mexican businessman Carlos Slim.

"It is very important that broadband be a high-quality universal service 
at a low cost," Slim said.

"Broadband is not a gap, but a bridge between developed and developing 
countries, providing access to all of the services of modern society for 
the well-being of the population in general."

Conroy said his appointment recognised the Federal Government's 
commitment to deliver high-speed broadband to all Australians.

"I look forward to sharing Australia's experiences in developing our 
National Broadband Network (NBN) as well as contributing to the work of 
the Commission," he said in a statement.

"The NBN will lift Australia to the top of world-rankings when it comes 
to broadband access and I'm pleased to see the ITU has recognised our 
important work."

The Commission will deliver its findings in two reports: one based 
directly on input from Commissioners; and the other, an in-depth 
research paper examining the effect and challenges of broadband rollout.

It will meet in Geneva in the middle of the year before delivering its 
findings to the UN Secretary-General in September.

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au