Blog comments

• I work for a University which actually runs a 1gb network link. We have thousands of students using the system simultaneously and they dont go anywhere near using up that bandwidth and believe me they download large files. That is the size of the pipe that they plan to give to every mum and dad out there so they can use facebook. So how much are they planning to charge for this? I understand people in Tassie are getting an initial honeymoon rate. What happens if people then think this is too much can they get ADSL or has NBN destroyed all other options and choices. people who dont use the internet much will find a big increase in their internet costs. The internet is usually charged by volume, so the faster you download more likely the more you download, which means more profit for the telco's. The main problem we have is that communications companies are taking anything that allows them to compete more equitably with Telstra. We also have telcommunications experts who tell you that this is great, but what would you expect them to say thats their business and their passion. The NBN will be overservicing all of australia for the few, and i mean few people or organisations that need faster broadband to that capacity, so far my university has not reached that so i will certain be interested to know what companies and individual would and when.

  Govt debt Friday 13 August, 2010 - 6:42 PM

• I think $43 billion could be better spent with revenue generating projects, like more desalination plants and solar energy, so we can grow more foodstuffs to meet growing food shortages from population growth, urbanisation & climate change.

  robert_m Friday 13 August, 2010 - 12:29 AM

• Before adding uneducated comments please research the subject. To the person who works at 3AW and who told Hinch that wireless was more than up to the task, all I can say is you are clearly ignorant of the technology and you should read the following article.
  As a network engineer for a major telco I do see both positives and negatives in the NBN

  http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/only-a-broadband-network-will-get-us-up-to-speed-20100809-11tye.html

  Pablo Tuesday 10 August, 2010 - 11:37 AM

• NBN will take 8 years to roll out. It is predicated on the idea that virtually everyone will use it. The technology promises to give speeds of 100mb per second. Optus has just upgraded its cable network for 1.2m people to around 75mb per second (and could possibly upgrade again later), it is not going to let that go to waste so will price that service to undercut NBN. Telstra has just been given a $11b bribe to discontinue using its existing cable network that could also be upgraded to significantly better speeds to rival NBN. Telstra cable goes past several million people many of whom dont use it, why? WiMax one of the wireless standards does around +50mb per second but could technically go up to 1gb (10 times the proposed 100mb NBN speed) at a fraction of the $43b cost.
  NBN's starting cost is $43b but they have already flagged it could cost more, we also have to borrow the money something conveniently glossed over. There has been no independent cost benefit analysis. So how long do they plan to pay this off over, paying a house off over 25 years will triple the price so will NBN costs $150b? New technologies will come out and compete with NBN, as they do more customers (or the government) will be left to carry the cost of paying it off, no corporte would accept that risk.With telstra onboard the government can turn off adsl and other existing broadband services so that you have to use it. in the 8 years (+delays)new technologies will be able to deliver faster and better services.

  Greg Friday 6 August, 2010 - 7:32 AM

• Derryn, can you please tell me when this government has ever completed a project under or on budget. The $43 thousand million dollars they estimate at the start will be nowhere near what it actually costs by the end. Think more like $86 thousand million. Mark my words!

  Aussie Bob Thursday 5 August, 2010 - 9:31 PM

• good point Davo

  Pete Thursday 5 August, 2010 - 2:05 PM