Rudd to build broadband network (4 Viewers)

[JonathanM]

A NEW government-created company will build and operate the National Broadband Network, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced today.

Mr Rudd described the announcement as "historic", describing broadband as the core of 21st century infrastructure.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25301680-601,00.html

Woohoo! Government owned internet! I can't see a single thing wrong with that! /sarcasm

Wait, isn't China's internet also government owned/controlled?

Another act of idiocy by Stephen Conroy and Rudd. This ploy will either fail completely and never stand on its own two feet or be neglected by Australians once the Rudd Labor government or even future Liberal governments see the possibility of putting a mandatory web filter onto the biggest Australian web servers without any qualms from fussy "libertarian" executives.

Instead of spending the $15 billion on fixing the health sector or putting aside for another possible stimulus package, the Government has thrown away money that would have otherwise been largely spent by a corporation like Telstra which is much more capable of distributing this national broadband system. I still cannot fathom why Rudd and Conroy did not accept Telstra's completely legitimate and reasonable tender for this broadband system. Odds are wireless internet technology may takeover broadband technology soon anyway.

Rudd is digging us into an ever deeper hole. GW.

Discuss.

 

[spiny norman]

The Government is actually creating its own public company? I'd begun to think I'd never see the day in my lifetime, that it was a thing of the past for the Fishers and Chifleys of this world, but never the Rudds or Keatings.

This is good, obviously. It's an essential service which will be monopolised, and those that fit that bill should be nationalised. May the bell toll for economic rationalism!

 

[bell531]

The Government is actually creating its own public company?

As forecast by The Australian yesterday, the Government will be the majority shareholder of this company, but significant private sector investment is anticipated.

The Government will make the initial investment in the company but intends to sell down its interest within five years after the network is built and fully operational, depending on market conditions and national and identity security considerations.

So the Government is a majority shareholder for a while, but then sells it's share down? Does that mean, within five years, they intend to largely sideline their share, while the private sector owns most of it, or does it mean they go from 90% ownership to 80%? IMO, the less Government control the better.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

Where is Rudd going to find the $43 billion needed for this?

Should have just given it to Telstra.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

By the time it is built (if it is on-time, something the public sector never does) in 7-8 years, it is highly likely the technology will be obsolete. Otherwise, Telstra would have planned to build it themselves. Private sector investment is max 49%. I would like to see Telstra wash its hands from the proposal, and start a rival broadband infrastructure plan that will still be cutting edge. Let's face it, Telstra do gouge customers price-wise, but for customer service, reliability and performance, they are streets ahead of the competition in most areas.

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

Um, the government isn't creating an ISP. They're basically laying down cables. You can't fucking filter cables (especially not if you don't have the appropriate legislation). Use your brain, Schroe.

steve: Yes, I'd like to see Telstra build a rival broadband network, too. And they will. But the point is, they wouldn't have otherwise. We have some of the shittest broadband in the world here, but yet some of the best broadband technology. We need a bit of fucking competition. First thing Rudd's done that I actually applaud.

It's just a shame that Conroy moron will get any credit for it.

Bell: The government vowed to privatise it after 5 years. Which means, I guess, selling their majority stake. But given their previous record they'll probably sell almost all of their stake.

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

SHODAN: Read the report, they are going to become a Tier 1/2 ISP within the country.

As a provider they are within their rights to filter that particular section of the broadband. The legislation for this has already passed, and the existence of netshield proves this is the case.

Worst case scenario: NBN is filtered (I still strongly doubt it), Telstra builds a rival network because of the competition, Telstra campaigns on the rival network's freedom to win customers, everybody wins.

 

[JonathanM]

...

They're not just "laying down the cables," rest assured they will be in control of the web servers around the country which these cables are connected to.

I personally don't trust the Government's word to privatize the new broadband system, they may relinquish some power, but having power over the internet for "90 percent of Australians" is just too much power for a Government to privatize in my opinion.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

Worst case scenario: Government goes bankrupt building infrastructure that the private sector could have done.

 

[08er]

enjoy porn and youtube while we still can

 

[lyounamu]

nice try by rudd

 

[x.christina]

How is this going to even work? Are they going to install a WAN that spands across the whole continent?

 

[Gloves]

How is this going to even work? Are they going to install a WAN that spands across the whole continent?

what's a WAN?

is it like a wang?

cause it'd be heaps funny if the government built a penis which stretched across the entire continent, albeit a waste of money.

but still funny.

 

[lyounamu]

what's a WAN?

is it like a wang?

cause it'd be heaps funny if the government built a penis which stretched across the entire continent, albeit a waste of money.

but still funny.

your joke is getting worse man.

 

[Gloves]

your joke is getting worse man.

so's your attempt at being 'cool'.

 

[mrcalkin]

Wouldn't it be just better to install WiFI in cities like sydney, Melborune etc. That is installing huge WiFi servers, as WiFi technology is alot cheaper.

 

[Gloves]

Wouldn't it be just better to install WiFI in cities like sydney, Melborune etc. That is installing huge WiFi servers, as WiFi technology is alot cheaper.

this actually is a pretty interesting point.

 

[lyounamu]

so's your attempt at being 'cool'.

I am surprised that you already got the message.

 

[Gloves]

I am surprised that you already got the message.

what message?

you're speaking in riddles man. make some sense.

 

[lyounamu]

what message?

you're speaking in riddles man. make some sense.

i forgot that i was talking to gloves.