Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) 7 April 2009.

(2) (a), (b) Over the course of the National Broadband Network (NBN) Request for Proposals (RFP) process and in developing its fibre to the premises (FTTP) policy, the Government received extensive advice on a broad range of issues relating to the capacity, marketing and viability of broadband networks in delivering broadband applications. The Government extensively tested the market through the NBN RFP process. It drew on advice from the Panel of Experts, specialist economic, commercial and technical advisers appointed to assist the NBN Taskforce and the Panel (Frontier Economics, KPMG and Gibson Quai AAS) who have extensive expertise in the telecommunications market, the ACCC, relevant government agencies, advice contained in research reports and provided through public consultation processes.

(c) Preliminary cost estimates were developed using a range of available information and assumptions were analysed, as part of the Government's decision making process. Further financial modeling was conducted in the course of the NBN Implementation Study.

(3) No specific commitments were obtained from Commonwealth departments and agencies in relation to the delivery of additional services and applications for the 100 Mbps National Broadband Network.

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