ElectrosmartNET BLOG

Australian Communications minister, Stephen Conroy, has named six experts to assist in drawing up an RFP for its $4.7b next generation network and to assist in evaluating RFPs.

• Chair – Patricia Scott – Secretary of the Department Of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (BCDE)
• John Wylie – Lazard Carnegie Wylie CEO
• Tony Mitchell – Allphones chairman
• Laureate Professor Rod Tucker – University of Melbourne
• Reg Coutts – Professor emeritus of communications, University of Adelaide
• Tony Shaw – former Australian Communications Authority chairman
• Dr Ken Henry – Treasury secretary.

Indications of a very aggressive timetable include:

1. Panel will receive submissions from industry and the public to assist in the development of the RFP documentation by 30 March 2008.
2. Production of the RFP
3. Receipt of responses
4. Eight weeks to prepare a report making recommendations on its preferred proposals
5. Construction of the network to be started before the end of 2008

The Panel will be supported by BCDE and other key departments and specialist advisors on regulation and technical, legal and financial and commercial issues.

One key promise by the initiative is that “The government will … ensure that people who may not have access to the new fibre network will have access to the best new fixed line, wireless or satellite technology.” With an additional $95 million in funding for the Australian Broadband Guarantee program in 2008-09, to improve access to affordable broadband in these remote areas into the future.”