Vodafone CEO backs Quigley NBN study

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blog Remember how NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley gave a major speech several weeks ago backing the idea that telco industry group the Communications Alliance could conduct a study into the merits of the various different broadband models being proposed for Australia’s future? Remember how the idea was roundly rejected by the Coalition and various telcos such as Optus? Well not everyone things this way. Vodafone chief executive Bill Morrow in Communications Day this week on the idea:

“NBN Co’s recent calls for an industry discussion on how we optimise the opportunities of the NBN should not be controversial. There will always be ongoing discussions about how we meet the telecommunications needs of Australia. Provided these discussions are done transparently and collaboratively they should be encouraged.”

I strongly agree. How could it possibly be bad to have more analysis, more examination of the potential paths towards Australia’s broadband future? More information is never a bad thing — I think history shows us that ignorance and misinformation is usually the real plague on society. Let’s hope the Communications Alliance consents to working on this. It could prove to be a valuable resource for the whole sector.

13 COMMENTS

  1. “How could it possibly be bad to have more analysis, more examination of the potential paths towards Australia’s broadband future? More information is never a bad thing”

    You may be right in this case but all too often more studies are just a way of avoiding a decision. How many studies have we had into Sydney’s 2nd airport?

  2. The report would put to bed, once and for-all the FTTN “is better than” FTTH notion. Turnbull doesn’t want a report he cannot self-engineer; he already knows the outcome. Hence his outright rejection.

    Quigley has suggested it, for that very reason. He already knows the outcome too.

    • It’s not which is the better technology. I don’t think even Turnbull is suggesting it is. What the issue to be decided is which is the best and most economical way foward. Saying FTTN is cheaper just doesn’t cut it. Ignoring what it will cost to upgrade and when it will need that upgrade is the bit Turnbull will avoid like the plague or pull numbers out of his butt. It’s what happens after FTTN that is it’s achilles heel. Hay, maybe having to buy copper will even make it uneconomical now. But without address all the issues and calling supporters zealots and journalists biased they should be answered. Sticking fingers in the ears and going lalala doesn’t solve problems.

  3. There is no need to for the Communications Alliance to spend money on such a study I can tell you what the result will be.

    Keep the current FTTH NBN rollout going financed by Government debt and all risk backed by the Government.

        • No of course they won’t build it… no one will… hence the fact that we are now in the position we are… you do remember the RFPs, Telstra’s non-compliant bid and understand this most basic of facts don’t you?

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