Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Australia - Minister to reschedule NBN roll-out with priority for rural areas

[itnews] Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will meet with NBN Co in coming days to "re-design" its rollout timetable in a way that prioritises regional deployment of fibre.

The Prime Minister and key independents yesterday struck a deal that would see regional areas get priority over metropolitan areas for National Broadband Network (NBN) fibre.

Conroy told the ABC's AM program today that the re-jig was "a question of a timetable about where they'll (re)start" rolling out the network.

He indicated the changes would not come with an increase in the overall cost of building the network.

But he said the changes would "mean that we'll [the Government and NBN Co] be focused more regionally than we otherwise would have been."

NBN Co said yesterday in a brief statement that it would restart spending, tenders and recruitment following the installation of a Labor minority government.

"Everyone at NBN Co is looking forward to working with business, government, the community and our customers to deliver a high-speed broadband future for all Australians," the company stated

Conroy to rejig NBN rollout schedule

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