[RTC List] {Disarmed} Australian broadband accessibility

[CrawfordCA at aol.com]

Crikey, mates !!  The Aussies are taking accessibility to broadband  
seriously, according to the recent article in Government Technology  Magazine.
 
If this is not of interest to you, please forgive the intrusion.
 
Chris Crawford
_www.justiceserved.com_ (http://www.justiceserved.com) 
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Direct link:
_http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?id=104289&utm_source=gten_0
70307&utm_medium=enews&utm_content=story_ 
(http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?id=104289&utm_source=gten_070307&utm_medium=enews&utm_content=s
tory) 
 
 
Australian Broadband Guarantee Announced
Government Technology  Magazine - Mar 07, 2007  News Release 
Australians will now be able  to access broadband services regardless of 
where they live thanks to the  Australian Government's $163 million (approximately 
$128 million USD) _Australian  Broadband Guarantee_ 
(http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian_broadband_guarantee)  
(_http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian
_broadband_guarantee_ 
(http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian_broadband_guarantee) ),  the Minister for 
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator  Helen Coonan, announced 
today.

"Broadband is an essential service for  both individuals and business and is 
vital for Australia's future economic  prosperity," said Coonan. "Anyone 
unable to gain a reasonable level of broadband  service at their principal place of 
residence or small business will receive a  subsidized broadband service. 
It's as simple as that."

This new measure  is meant to ensure that all Australians have affordable, 
high-quality Internet  access. The government will commit to AU $163, under the 
Australian Broadband  Guarantee, to provide Internet access to those who can 
not currently afford  broadband.

"Broadband Internet is a key economic driver and is  increasingly important 
for the delivery of business and education services, as  well as for 
individuals in the home," said Australian Prime Minister, John  Howard.

The Australian Broadband Guarantee will fill in any remaining  broadband 
blackspots across Australia and will build on the success of the  Government's 
$878 million Broadband Connect program and the $50 million Metro  Broadband 
Connect program.

"Today's announcement will make Australia one  of the few countries in the 
world to ensure an affordable broadband service to  all households and small 
businesses," said Howard. 

The first phase of  the Guarantee will run until June 2008 when the funds 
from the Government's $2  billion Communications Fund will come on stream. This 
will enable the Government  to continue the Australian Broadband Guarantee for 
as long as in necessary to  ensure all Australians have access to broadband 
regardless of where they  live.

The Guarantee is part of the transition to the $600 million  Broadband 
Connect Infrastructure Program. The infrastructure program will  establish an 
efficient, sustainable broadband infrastructure base across  regional Australia to 
enable the roll-out of higher speed  broadband.


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