The federal government has finally announced the release of the ‘Request for Proposals’ (RFP) to build the new high speed National Broadband Network. Up to $4.7 billion has been granted by the government to the successful bidder to build a network which must deliver broadband speeds of 12Mbit to at least 98% of Australian premises.
Analysts are predicting that Telstra will win the bidding proposal due to the ease it would have of rolling out (of should I say updating) a network. Considering the amount of infrastructure that it already owns, along with their extensive knowledge of the networks already in place, it appears that Telstra’s chances of winning the National Broadband Network project to be extremely high. Strengthening this theory is the numerous handicaps that Telstra’s competitors will face.
Lodgements for proposals close on July 25.
On obstacles facing Telstra’s competitors…
“In using network information, proponents acknowledge that they do so at their own risk and acknowledge that neither the Commonwealth nor carriers who have provided the Network Information bear any liability in relation to their use of the data.”
Then there is simply the limited time they have to access, digest the information and incorporate it in their plans: they will gain access to the information in May and June and the closing date for response to the RFP is 25 July.
Pro’s for Telstra…
In contrast, not only does Telstra have total access to this information in ways that should be well integrated with its other information systems, it is intimately familiar with it and, as it has repeatedly boasted, has already done all the planning and could start rolling out the network at the drop of a hat.
Government invites National Broadband Network proposals: Media Release
National Broadband Network Request for submissions on regulatory issues: Media Release
Read more at itwire.com
