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Academic calls for broadband consistency
Which technologies will most effectively carry super-fast broadband across the Sunshine Coast?
That’s just one of the vital issues requiring consistency in planning the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to University of the Sunshine Coast property law lecturer Lucy Cradduck.
The Federal Government is investing up to $43 billion over eight years to deliver super-fast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces.
It has identified the use of “smart infrastructure”, which uses sensors and communications technologies to better use or sustain resources. Examples include improved electricity grids, transport systems and water networks
Ms Cradduck said implementation of smart infrastructure across Australia would be as challenging, and as long-term, as the changeover to digital television.
Ms Cradduck’s current doctoral research, supervised by Professors Anne and Brian Fitzgerald of the Law Faculty at the Queensland University of Technology, relates to legal issues surrounding the NBN.
She said it would be a big change for consumers, businesses and the property development industry.
“We need to develop consistent policies that will address not only fibre optic cabling at greenfield sites, but also how the NBN will operate at existing (brownfield) and infill sites. Then there are the issues and costs particular to regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“For example, should the Coast use fibre optic, satellite, wireless or some other technology? I live on top of Buderim and I can’t get wireless broadband and have dreadful mobile reception.”
Ms Cradduck last week presented a paper to the Brisbane Broadband consultative forum, part of the national ‘Realising Our Broadband Future’ forum. The Sydney forum was opened by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and attended by government, industry, academic and community members.
She described the NBN as a major transition that would require mass training of Australians to boost their “digital literacy” and enable everyone to make best use of the new services.
“Digital literacy does not just mean logging on to the internet or playing online games or visiting online worlds,” she said.
“People must be upskilled so they have the knowledge to use the NBN properly, to be able to do everything online. E-learning is crucial.”
– Julie Gatehouse