[LINK] Four Corners NBN

[David Boxall]

On 17/04/2011 11:08 AM, Kim Holburn wrote:
>
> On 2011/Apr/17, at 9:53 AM, Paul Bolger wrote:
>
>> Depends whether you expect cyclones or earthquakes
>
> Or firestorms instead of earthquakes, more likely in Australia.
>
> So you need to have underground and overhead cabling.  Problem solved (except for the cost).
>
For what would we need overhead cabling? I presume you're assuming that 
anything underground will be more vulnerable to earthquake. Poles fall 
during earthquakes, don't they?

The cost is nothing to panic about. It's a question of perspective. The 
original $43BN worked out at 70 cents per day, remember. Establishment 
cost is only an issue if you're worried about the bottom line for the 
current quarter or electoral cycle (or whatever short term). In the 
longer term, overhead telecommunications infrastructure is less 
cost-effective than underground. Which is why the PMG abandoned overhead 
wires half a century ago.

In risk management terms, what are the most likely hazards? Which type 
of infrastructure is likely to be least affected?

-- 
David Boxall                    |  When a distinguished but elderly
                                |  scientist states that something is
http://david.boxall.id.au       |  possible, he is almost certainly
                                |  right. When he states that
                                |  something is impossible, he is
                                |  very probably wrong.
                                                  --Arthur C. Clarke