Alston claims Aust broadband "on par" with rest of the world - News - Business

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Alston claims Aust broadband "on par" with rest of the world

By Jeanne-Vida Douglas, ZDNet Australia
October 16, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Alston-claims-Aust-broadband-on-par-with-rest-of-the-world/0,139023166,120269128,00.htm

The federal Minister for Communications and Information Technology has defended Australia's much-maligned broadband service provision as being on a par with that in many countries visited during his recent whirlwind tour.

In an exclusive interview with ZDNet Australia at the launch of the GrangeNet academic network in Canberra today, Senator Richard Alston said "We're really doing pretty well - broadband is in its infancy around the world.

"In most countries the business sector would like to see some stimulus because many see potential for their own operations, and there are many calls for government to intercede."

However, Alston reasserted his position that the Australian government had no obligation to "underwrite the private sector", saying his views echoed the hands-off approach taken by governments in Europe and the United States.

The Minister said his travels brought his attention to a number of different alternatives for the delivery of Internet connectivity, including a service by the name of Linda.net provided by a power utility in Iceland which delivers Internet connectivity via power infrastructure.

"Even though in Australia we have seen the utilities work together to provide Internet connectivity it will be interesting to see if there is a business case for this type of technology," Alston said.