[LINK] IEEE: The Rise and Fall of Australia’s $44 Billion Broadband Project

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

The Rise and Fall of Australia’s $44 Billion Broadband Project
Why Australia decided to abort an ambitious fiber-to-the-home plan
IEEE Spectrum
Rodney S. Tucker
26 Nov 2013
http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/internet/the-rise-and-fall-of-australias-44-billion-broadband-project/

Just about five years ago, the global technology community was taken 
aback when Australia’s government announced an audacious plan: to 
deliver broadband Internet to every single resident of the country via 
fiber-to-the-premises networks. Despite the project’s hefty price tag 
and major logistical challenges, many observers noted that the project’s 
expected impact (putting Australia among the world leaders in 
telemedicine, remote education, and e-commerce) made it worthwhile. But 
a new government, elected in September, plans to radically scale back 
the plan to save money. Upgrading on the cheap could mean that Australia 
will lose an opportunity to become a leader in the global digital 
economy—and still end up costing more in the long run. A member of an 
expert panel that evaluated proposals for the original plan explains.

-- 

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
email: brd at iimetro.com.au
web:   www.drbrd.com
web:   www.problemsfirst.com
Blog:  www.problemsfirst.com/blog