Tasmania’s Broadband woes

Multi-layered approach needed to address

Tasmania's Broadband woes.

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

A multi-layered broadband infrastructure network incorporating wireless, optic-fiber, xDSL, and high-speed satellite service is the most realistic long-term solution to Tasmania's broadband problems, according to the State's leading wireless internet service provider.

Hobart based Broadband Wireless Pty Ltd trading as BBW Telecom has urged the State and Federal Governments to work directly with internet service providers to establish a complementary mix of access technologies to deliver broadband to Tasmanians.

'It is unrealistic to think there is any single "magic" solution to the challenge of providing all Tasmanian's with reasonable access to affordable and reliable broadband,' said BBW Managing Director Paul Truscott.

'What we need is to encourage different technologies and services providers to enter the Tasmanian market to create further competition and improve the quality of services especially to regional communities.' There is still no real competition in Tasmania's Telecommunications sector, which is mainly due to our relatively small population,' Mr Truscott said.

Mr Truscott said that with rapid advancements in satellite and wireless broadband technology, and the newly installed Federal Government's commitment to roll-out an optic-fiber broadband backbone in partnership with the private sector, Tasmania will have a framework to significantly address long-standing challenges with broadband access.  ".

'With satellite and wireless technology becoming more affordable, the services and infrastructure already exists to roll-out high-speed broadband access to all Tasmanians.  We challenge anyone anywhere in Tasmania who does not have access to broadband to call us and verify that we can deliver broadband to them using satellite or wireless technology,' Mr Truscott said.

'But we need Governments and service providers to work together on ensuring the growing network of different service and technologies available to consumers is affordable and accessible to all Tasmanians.

'BBW already provides hundreds of Tasmanians living and working in remote and regional centers with high-speed satellite and wireless broadband services that have become far more affordable because of Federal Government subsidies and ongoing advancements in technology.

'This kind of satellite and wireless broadband services to regional areas will always be far more affordable and attractive to both consumers and Government, when compared to more burdensome technologies such as extending the optic-fibre network into regional areas or utilising power line infrastructure.'

For further information and to arrange interviews, please call Paul Truscott on 03 6234 1288.