Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Australia Broadband Access Plan Will Feature Open Access

Would-be bidders for the Australian broadband access upgrade now seem to be just two: Telstra, the incumbent, and a rival bidding group called Terria, lead by long-time foe Optus, remain in serious contention, according to the Australian. Final proposals are due on November 26. The project entails construction of a  national broadband network that will reach 98 per cent of Australians.

The network is expected to cost A$9.4 billion ($7.8 billion), and the Australian government will help fund about A$4.7 billion worth of the cost. 

Both bidders say they will (obviously) abide by rules requiring wholesale access to the network by retail competitors, though Telstra opposes any formal structural separation of the network, while the Optus-lead group thinks that is not a bad idea. 

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