$2 BILLION INVESTMENT IN REGIONAL INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

99 per cent of the Australian population will soon have access to high-speed broadband in their homes, regardless of where they live, thanks to a commitment from the Federal Coalition Government to establish a network, the likes of which has never been seen before in this country, Senator Fiona Nash said. Senator Nash said communities in rural and regional Australia are the big winners from the $1.85 billion investment which has been delivered under the Coalition’s Broadband Connect Infrastructure Programme. The remaining one per cent not covered under the plan will be covered by the Coalition’s $162.5 million Australian Broadband Guarantee. “Today’s announcement is an investment in the long-term sustainability of Australia’s rural and regional communities,” Senator Nash said. “This money will deliver a world-class information superhighway, one that stretches far and wide to rural and regional communities to ensure they are not left behind in the technology stakes. “This investment is the culmination of months of measured research and planning by the Federal Coalition Government to determine the best and most cost effective way of improving the nation’s broadband network.” Senator Nash explained the Broadband Connect plan will be delivered by OPEL – a consortium of Optus and Elders. It will target underserved areas of rural and regional Australia with a combination of high speed WiMAX wireless broadband, ADSL 2+ and new fibre backhaul, offering speeds of 12 mbps by June 2009 at national retail prices of between $35 and $60 per month. The network will be funded by $600 million from the Government’s Broadband Connect, a further $358 million from the Coalition Government and a matching commitment from Optus and Elders of $917 million. “The majority of the Government’s investment was set aside by the Coalition under the Connect Australia package, which was secured by the Nationals some time ago to ensure the seven million people living outside the major metropolitan areas are not left behind when it comes to telecommunications. “The Nationals have worked hard to safeguard the future interests of rural and regional communities when it comes to telecommunications; today’s funding will be boosted by $400 million every three years from 2008, thanks to funding from the $2 billion perpetual Communications Fund – a fundamental component of the Connect Australia package. “The Nationals have long been focused on a practical and strategic plan to deliver internet services to the people of rural and regional Australia and today’s announcement is proof positive this Government has the interests of people living in these communities at the forefront of the national agenda.” Media contact: Julie Siegert (02) 6277 3075

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