MEDIA RELEASE

ACS Welcomes NBN Co & Telstra Agreement

Calls for clarity around USO structure & backhaul elements

Tuesday, 22 June 2010, Australia - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) today applauded the NBN Co and Telstra agreement as a key milestone in moving Australia towards a digital economy, and called for clarity regarding the Universal Service Obligation and backhaul elements of the agreement. The ACS also renewed its call for a focus on the strategy around value added services to be delivered via the NBN.

Bruce Lakin, CEO, ACS, said “We congratulate the Federal Government on this important milestone in the progress of Australia’s largest infrastructure project. The agreement between NBN Co and Telstra will help reduce costs and increase the take up of broadband in Australia, which will go a long way towards powering our future economy. The NBN will support and activate new forms of entrepreneurial employment – allowing SMEs to keep pace with larger corporates in developing online assets, and taking advantage of global opportunities.

“Australia is little more than 12 months into an eight year build, so in many respects the NBN is still in planning mode. We are keen to see a more detailed timetable of the NBN rollout once the agreement has been consolidated,” said Mr Lakin.

Mr Lakin said whilst the ACS welcomes the establishment of the USO Co, it’s important to have clarity around the definition of the USO entity and its terms of delivery. Other key issues include:

  • Clarity on the implications for greater lower cost backhaul, particularly regarding the pricing of backhaul for regional Australians.
  • Focused strategies for the development of a new ICT economy including a Digital Economy framework, and a review of Australia’s prospects as a regional hub for ICT services.
  • Appropriate policy around taxation, regulations and other support necessary for new services made possible via the NBN such as: E-Health, E-Security and E-Learning.

“We look forward to the address by NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley at the upcoming Charles Todd Oration, an event the Telecommunications Society of the Australia (TSA) has hosted for fifteen years which demonstrates the importance of telecommunications to delivering prosperity and wealth. This event on 18th August is timely, given Sir Charles Todd was one Australia’s leading telecommunications pioneers and completed in 1872 the task of building an overland telegraph from Pt Augusta North of Adelaide through to Darwin, which carried the rapid dot-dash of the telegraph, equivalent to 2-3 bit/s in current terms.

“As the inaugural CEO of NBN Co, Mike Quigley on 18th August, will join an illustrious group of Australian and International figures who have delivered the Charles Todd Oration”, said Mr Lakin.

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Media information: Emily Venardos (02) 9492 1033 or mobile: 0413 743 737

About the ACS: The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community.

A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more.

About TSA: The Telecommunications Society of Australia has been re-born as part of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the ACS Telecommunications Special Interest Group (T-SIG) now is known as ACS-TSA - the Telecommunications Special Interest Group of the ACS.