Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

No, 12 megabits, Senator Conroy. ACMA is aware of the complexities of operating different devices on a class licence spectrum. The issue is being addressed in a comprehensive spectrum management plan. It was consulted prior to the selection of OPEL as the preferred bidder. It was confirmed that the OPEL approach was sound and technologically deliverable. ACMA advises that interference is a minimal issue at best in rural areas where OPEL will be using it, because there are fewer operators. Those of us who listened to this debate over the last week will know that this government will be using a mix of technologies in this new network. The wireless network will be deployed appropriately in rural and regional areas.

ACMA is currently examining other potential bands that may be made available for wireless access services, including the possibility of spectrum and the adjacent spectrum bands. As a general point, WiMAX manufacturers state that their equipment fully addresses any problems of spectrum interference on a class licence spectrum. I am very glad that Senator George Campbell has given me an opportunity once again to showcase this government’s broadband initiative.

I have a note here from somebody whom I do not think I have actually met; Mr Ondarchie calls himself a ‘telecommunications industry veteran’. He is Chairman and CEO of Clever Communications Australia. I thought what he said was very interesting and I should put it on record. He said:

Kevin Rudd—

and you can interpolate that, Senator Conroy, and everyone else over on that side—

has publicly made a number of statements on wireless technology that have been reported in the media, including comments that wireless technologies are second-rate and have a maximum distance of 20 kilometres. Both of these statements are untrue. It is a shame to see a political leader making such an uneducated and misleading comment regarding wireless technology. By dismissing wireless technology, he is robbing Australians in rural and regional areas of a genuine alternative technology with the potential to deliver rapid access to high speed broadband services.

I say to the Labor Party, who have not released one single detail about their fraud plan: here is your test. Put up or shut up; show us some technical detail, or else you are not qualified to comment.