Staff WritersThe Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today released draft instruments setting out the network information that carriers are to provide for the National Broadband Network project, and the rules to safeguard the information.
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Senator Conroy said that, “The scope of network information to be provided has been prepared following consultation with proponents, as well as advice from our specialist expert advisers and relevant Government agencies.”
The Government has decided to request the network information from carriers under legislative provisions recently introduced into the Telecommunications Act 1997.
“In previous consultations carriers have indicated that they are prepared to provide information voluntarily. The Government’s approach still provides carriers with an opportunity to submit voluntarily, but also ensures that all relevant information will be provided within clear timeframes,” Senator Conroy said.
The Government will now consult with carriers on the draft instruments. Following careful consideration of their submissions the Government will be moving to make a decision about final instruments expeditiously.
Once network information is provided to proponents, they will have 12 weeks to finalise their proposals. This will mean proposals will now be received towards the end of 2008.
“Our approach can be contrasted with the previous government’s broadband process last year which did not propose to make any network information available to proponents,” Senator Conroy said.