Australia - Politicians in continuing disagreement over the merits of the NBN and wireless services

[abc] North coast politicians are in disagreement over the threat posed to the National Broadband Network by new wireless technology.

The member for Page, Janelle Saffin, says she's not concerned by Telstra's to upgrade its wireless network.

She says there are major shortcomings with wireless technology, particularly on the north coast.

"When Telstra rolled out 3G, that doesn't provide universal access and in our area we still have some places where mobiles and internet access is patchy," Ms Saffin said.
"So Telstra is not about providing for the whole of Australia, government is and that's what the NBN is about," she said.

But the federal member for Cowper says experience overseas shows next-generation wireless technology could seriously undermine labor's plans.

Luke Hartsuyker says the government has been using comparisons with South Korea's high-speed broadband to show Australia was slipping behind the rest of the world.
He says it's now emerged that only about one third of Koreans have signed up for fixed-line connections.

Mr Hartsuyker says the NBN plan depends on a 70-percent take-up rate.

Pollies in broadband disagreement