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National Broadband Network 'achievable' within six years

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By Steven Raeburn, N/A

December 13, 2013 | 2 min read

The Australian Government has issued a statement outlining its plans for the vexed National Broadband Network, which had become a political football following the election.

A 'multi-technology rollout' is now planned

It says that, following a strategic review, it says that the goal of completing the network within six years is achievable.

It proposes completing the network using ‘a mix of technologies’, instead of the all-fibre network that was originally proposed.

The incoming Government has been challenged over its opposition to the network due to the perceived benefit that would accrue to Foxtel if the project does not complete.

Writing in the Guardian’s Australian edition, Roy Greenslade said Rupert Murdoch believes the government's national broadband network “poses a threat to the operation of the Foxtel cable TV monopoly that News Corp jointly owns with Telstra,” and perceives the development to be a threat.

The government now proposes a ‘multi-technology rollout’ and “intends to re-prioritize the NBN to ensure underserved areas receive priority.”

“The Government remains committed to completing the NBN as quickly and cost-effectively as possible and managing this taxpayer-funded project with complete transparency,” it added.

It says that around 91 per cent of premises in the fixed-line footprint will have access to download rates of at least 50 megabits per second by 2019.

Broadband image via Shutterstock

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