Plan for broadband network has rural gaps

Even though one of the first cities to take advantage of the new National Broadband Network will be Mount Isa, when the high speed service is eventually deployed as many as 200 other towns my be ignored.

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd recently made the promise of a fibre-optic network for “every person and business in Australia, no matter where they are located” during his recent announcement of plans for the $43 billion network.

Internet speeds at 100 times that of any currently available broadband connect was the promise made by the Federal Government, although it did admit that this commitment would not include towns containing fewer than 1000 resident. A mixture of satellite and wireless broadband technologies, which will run ten times slower than the premium quality service, will instead be available to these areas.

As long as they are close to major highways smaller towns will also benefit from superfast broadband connection according to Stephen Conroy, the Federal Communications Minister.

Out of 195 towns in Queensland that fall under the 1000 people limit 31 of these towns all below the requirements, which include Dayboro, Woorabinda, Coral Cove and Gin Gin.

The idea of much of rural Queensland missing out on this service was something that was of serious concern for Barnaby Joyce, the National Party Senate Leader.

He recently said “My worry is that they will spend all the money on urban areas and then run out … they will spend it where they will get a commercial return. Regional and rural areas will be left out – again.”

For many of the larger towns in the southeast of the state the network would spark higher property prices and a boom said Bernard Salt, a social demographer.

He also said that a large number of “tree-changers” spent up to an hour driving to work in Brisbane and the areas surrounding, although the semi-rural lifestyle would be made more attractive to stressed out city-dwellers and the commute for many would be ended by NBN. He said “Areas like Gatton, Esk and Springfield will thrive,” he said.

The best option available is fibre-optic according to Geoff Johnson, telecommunications expert and vice-president and research director for Gartner in Austria, the IT advisory company.

Johnson said “there is no next technology after fibre … it will be the best option for 20 to 50 years. Satellite is good for really remote areas, but there can be terrible delays and it makes everything slow. It is OK if there is nothing else.”