MANY QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS ON BROADBAND ROLL-OUT
TASMANIANS hoping for faster internet connections through the Australian Government’s National Broadband Network (NBN) may be in for a long, uncertain wait.
Questioning by Coalition senators at a recent committee hearing revealed that the Government was not able to advise how or when it will consult with affected communities.
One question many are asking is whether cabling will be laid above or below ground.
Understandably, there is growing concern, particularly in historic towns, about above-ground cabling marring streetscapes.
Then there are basic service issues including the Government’s lack of commitment to establishing a roll-out timeframe, the lack of information on the cost of the service or how long customers will be locked into contracts.
And Labor intends to slug those who build new homes after July 1 next year with the cost of installing cabling.
From the taxpayer’s point of view, the Rudd Government has not been clear on how many of our dollars it is investing in the roll-out in Tasmania.
Labor needs to get its act together because at the moment its planning for the NBN roll-out appears to be in disarray.
Tasmanians deserve to be told what is happening and when.
