from Hacker News

Test-driving the NBN: Slow, anti-competitive and stifling innovation

by audiodesigndan on 6/15/14, 11:20 AM with 1 comments

  • by satelliteau on 6/15/14, 3:44 PM

    The author of this article is uninformed to say the least.

    The speeds quoted are consistent with a low-end 25/5Mbps plan. Using this single datapoint as a measure of the worth of the network is ridiculous. 100/40Mbps plans are available right now, and 250/500/1000Mbps plans will be available soon - the hardware is already capable of these speeds, we're just waiting for RSPs to finalise their product offerings.

    There is nothing wrong with government-owned 'natural monopoly' infrastructure, wholesaling to competitive retail providers. This makes a lot more sense than infrastructure level competition - we've already seen this fail in Australia with cable networks (Telstra vs Optus).

    As it stands, we are now cancelling a nationwide FTTP network in favour of a $41B FTTN rollout - technology that is already >10 years old and nearing the end of its useful life.

    Thanks Liberals.