WORLD> Asia-Pacific
|
Australian govt to build national broadband network
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-07 14:03 CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday the government will establish its own company to build the national broadband network.
During a joint press conference with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner in Canberra, Rudd said the new network will deliver fast speed broadband to 90 percent of the country through optical fibre. "Every person and business in Australia, no matter where they are located, will have access to affordable, fast broadband at their fingertips," Rudd said. According to Rudd, the government will make an initial investment of 4.7 billion Australian dollars ($3 billion) in the company but intends to sell its interest within five years after the network is fully operational. Building the network will take seven to eight years, and rollout of the network is expected to start in early 2010, Rudd said. |