Telstra takes aim over broadband neglect
By Adam Coleman
A renegade regulator and a government with its “head in the sand” on the dire need to broadband the nation are endangering Australia’s economic prosperity.
That was the message of Telstra Group managing director of public policy and communications, Dr Phil Burgess, who told delegates at the Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) 2007 National Congress that the current level of broadband in Australia was embarrassing and that unecessary regulatory control was restricting further progress.
“There is a big problem in Australia in awareness of the importance of broadband for the future prosperity of the country.”
“In the twenty two months we [Telstra's new management] have been with the company there have been five major reports on infrastructure and not one, not one deals with telecommunications.”
“And yet arguably it is the single most important infrastructure for the country going forward.
He criticised Federal Communications Minister, Helen Coonan and ‘leaders of industry’ for suggesting the current level of broadband in the country “ain’t so bad”.
Most people [in Australia] are getting 256 kilobits, Japan is getting 100 megabits, South Korea is getting 100 megabits, Singapore is getting 100 megabits.”
Dr Burgess said Telstra was ready to roll out fast broadband to every person in Australia but couldn’t until the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) agreed not to confiscate their infrastructure if they did so.
He called the ACCC a "rogue regulator" that doesn’t follow the policy directives of government leaders and called for a “full-throated public debate about whether this nation wants to be a leader or a follower".
“High-speed broadband is crucial to Australia’s future and is especially key to creating jobs, growing exports, promoting urban rural equity, supporting small and medium businesses and advancing the nation’s economic and regional development.
“It also provides opportunities for local governments around Australia to operate more effectively and deliver improved services to their customers – the voting public.”
