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Monday November 23, 2009 8:57 AM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > News > Telstra bumped, super fast Internet still a dream
Telstra bumped, super fast Internet still a dream
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Telstra bumped, super fast Internet still a dream

by William Maher  on Dec 15, 2008
Tags: Telstra | NBN | broadband
"I think they should all join the one task force to build the NBN and it should be controlled by a independent body to set pricing and access for all carriers. This would be in the interests of all ..."
 
Hands up who wants 12Mbps? Fingers crossed that kicking Telstra out of the plan (for now) means we still get the speeds we want and the plans we can afford.
So, Telstra is out of the race (for now, at least) to build Australia's national broadband network (NBN).

A good thing, or bad? The omens weren't positive, if you think $29.95 a month for 1Mbps isn't exactly the exciting technology you were expecting for Australia's next-generation fibre network.

Sure, Telstra was claiming up to 50Mbps in its proposal, but as we've seen time and time again, fast speeds are great in theory, but it's quotas and entry prices that deliver a nasty kick in the face to many users.

Then there's the brou-ha that developed over ADSL2+ rollout and pricing - not exactly delivering a PR win for Telstra, or goodwill to ISPs and anyone caught in the crossfire.

On the other hand, you could say Telstra has the runs on the board in terms of speed, with Next G now pushing 21Mbps for 2009, and ADSL2+ now in widespread rollout.

Then there's Telstra's mini NBN-army - which could be beavering away at building the pipes, 24 hours a day for five years apparently, laying fibre, installing VDSL, and testing your home connection lives up to the 12Mbps minimum.

And will a non-Telstra network be "substandard" as the carrier is implying, in this media release.

As today's media statement from Telstra puts it: "The NBN is Australia's most critical infrastructure, underpinning future economic prosperity and social cohesion. If future generations bear the costs of a substandard NBN, today's decision will be seen as a turning-point in the nation's history."

And if they don't win? Well, maybe they'll forge ahead with their own network anyway, creating who-knows what sort of access and price issues for Australians.

The debate about the best broadband for Australia has been going on for years. We've had everything from WiFi to 3G pitched as the saviour, while Bill Gates has described our Internet as "disappointing".

For the next few weeks until early January, the powers that be will be examining the proposals to decide which way the money is spent. Let's hope they get this right.
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Comments: 2
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
brokey
Dec 15, 2008 7:00 PM
The Gov should take back the hardware and leave Sol and his 3 Amigos with the slops (Bigpond) and return the network back to the rightful owners...
Then the network could be built up rather than building a new one...
Please Tel$tra shareholders (my father is one), leave your attacks out of the argument...they are getting tiresome...


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Telstra bumped, super fast Internet still a dream?
Hands up who wants 12Mbps? Fingers crossed that kicking Telstra out of the plan (for now) means we still get the speeds we want and the plans we can afford.

What do you think? Join the discussion.
johnmat
Dec 16, 2008 11:27 AM
I think they should all join the one task force to build the NBN and it should be controlled by a independent body to set pricing and access for all carriers. This would be in the interests of all users. Will this 12Mbps pipe still be only good for people who live within 2 Km of the telephone exchange.
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