National broadband priorities to be set by local, state and federal government

In an effort to ensure that Australia remains both internationally and domestically competitive a framework that will speed up broadband development and use throughout the country has been released jointly by all levels of the Australian Government.

During the 16th meeting in Melbourne of the Online and Communications Council (OCC) the representatives released the Framework for the collaborative development and use of broadband in Australia. A minister from each individual territory and state makes up the OCC, each representing the area of online information and communications services.

Broadband is considered to be a vital digital economy enabler according to Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the digital economy, and also the chair of the OCC. He said in a recent statement “This framework is a first for Australia as it outlines a national commitment to broadband collaboration and cooperation between all tiers of government.”

The identification of key principles and the setting of strategies for three priority objective from the framework and these are: All Australians have access to high speed broadband at equitable service levels and prices, Australians are fully aware of the benefits of high speed broadband, and are able to choose a broadband service that meets their needs, Australians use high speed broadband to improve economic, environmental and social wellbeing.

The digital economy and broadband should use a pro-competitive environment as a driving force to maximize flexibility, foster innovations in both the application and development of broadband technologies advances the interests of users and promotes choice and efficiency.

The pledge given by this framework are: To develop improved practise models to allow for rural, remote and regional areas to get broadband; promote competition by encouraging open access to infrastructure and open standards; promote green ICT policies; optimise broadband availability by utilising the benefits of contract arrangements and government purchasing; ensuring the efficient deployment of broadband by promoting consistent planning guidelines for both local and state governments.