The government of Australia issued an invitation for proposals to build a National Broadband Network. The announcement was made by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy.
The RFP details the scope of the National Broadband Network, which will:
- deliver minimum download speeds of 12 Mbps to 98% of Australian homes and businesses;
- have the network rolled out and made operational progressively over five years using fibre-to-the-node or fibre-to-the-premises technology;
- support high quality voice, data and video services including symmetric applications such as high-definition video-conferencing;
- earn the Commonwealth a return on its investment;
- facilitate competition in the telecommunications sector through open access arrangements that allow all service providers access to the network on equivalent terms; and
- enable uniform and affordable retail prices to consumers, no matter where they live.
The RFP documentation is available on the AusTender website. Proposals must be received by 25-July-2008.
The government said it is prepared to invest up to $4.7 billion in the project.
Industry and public interest groups are also being encouraged to provide submissions on regulatory issues associated with the National Broadband Network.http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/