[LINK] Benefits of a digital economy enabled by the National

[Richard Chirgwin]

  On 22/09/10 4:19 PM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
> stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
>>> The viewpoint is very much that of the investment banker: the money
>>> should have been invested elsewhere for the better short-term gain.
>>
>> Short term views! Apparently being a commie-pinko, one hopes all Aussie
>> kids share learning experiences, both as audience&  future participants
>> in medium and long term gains made by these Aussie school kids recently.
>>
>> Re skills, research shows kids now turn to youtube before wikipedia etc.
>>
>> Posted yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iDJGZgTjXI
> <snip>
>
> Education seems to be the most compelling argument for
> ubiquitous high speed access to the Internet and I would
> suggest such access for every government school/tafe/library
> building in the country should be a priority. These
> facilities should then be available for University study as
> well. The articulation beyond that can be done once this has
> been achieved.
>
> Marghanita
Marganita,

School fibre programs exist under their own program. I don't know the 
status at this point. Universities? - Mostly fibred via AARNet, although 
I can't instantly quantify how many campuses lack fibre. Major 
hospitals, mostly fibred today.

Moreover, if we look at the NBN's rollout plans - the idea is to get the 
fibre rolled out fast and at best price. Instructing NBN Co:

1. Do schools, hospitals and universities;
2. Then come back and connect households

...would make it more expensive without really achieving much (given the 
rapid pace of the anticipated rollout anyhow).

RC