Communications and Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has publicly stated that the Federal Government can build the National Broadband Network without Telstra.
The surprising submission came as the Senator responded to mounting public and political pressure to release a 500 page business case study on the proposed network. The paper is perhaps the most vital factor for Mr Conroy in regards to passing the required legislation through parliament.
As yet, the Australian Government and Telstra have been unable to resolve negotiations as to how Telstra can take up a significant role within the construction and operation of the Australian National Broadband Network. Many Industry analysts suggest that the Government cannot build the NBN without the substantial assistance of Telstra, however Conroy remains adamant that these false reports will be ‘put to bed’ once the lead advisers implementation report is released.
“No question, and I’ve said this many many times, that it would be faster to build and cheaper to build if there is an agreement with Telstra. (But) I think when you see the business case in the lead advisers’ report (in the study) a lot of the commentary which has been wildly inaccurate and I mean wildly inaccurate will be put to bed.”
Speculation has been circulating suggesting that Senator Conroy has given Telstra just one month to close a significant gap that’s held up talks thus far… so for now we wait.
Definatly with the minister on this one, the federal government should tender this I’m sure there are a lot of good companies in Australia that can lay and connect the fibre cable cheaper and a lot quicker then telstra.