Baw Baw in the Digital EconomyCommunity Conversation

Dr Helen Thompson8 November 2011

Overview• What new services will the National Broadband

Network (NBN) deliver?• What are some of the possibilities offered by the

digital economy?• How can the Baw Baw community enhance

regional readiness?

What new services will the NBN deliver?

What new services will the NBN deliver?

• High speed broadband access to 100 percent of Australian premises

• 93% of homes, schools and businesses hi-speed fibre network

• All remaining premises will be served by next-generation fixed-wireless and satellite technologies

Coverage of the NBN

The NBN is already well underway

12-month national rollout plan• During October 2011, 12 month national rollout plan

released by NBN Co• The plan lists the communities where work will begin

between now and September 2012 for each state and territory

• Specifically, the rollout plan shows• The names of 28 new locations, passing 485,000 premises

as part of the rollout• A further 63,500 premises are accounted for from the sites

where rollout is already underway• On average, services will be available within 12 months from

the commencement of fibre roll out in a given location

NBN services now available• Full commercial services commenced from October this

year• Retail pricing is comparable to current ADSL services for

a technically superior product• Network download speeds range from 12 to 100 mbps -

pricing from $34.95 per month. Supports voice and data

Definitive agreements• On June 23 2011, Telstra

announced they had made agreements with NBN Co to participate in the NBN rollout

• This provides NBN Co with access to existing infrastructure

• Allows for Telstra structural separation

• ACCC consideration underway• Government needs to consider

Fixed wireless communities• On August 3 2011, Ballarat (Vic), Darwin (NT), Geraldton

(WA), Tamworth (NSW) and Toowoomba (Qld) were announced to be the first communities for the rollout of NBN Co’s fixed-wireless service

• The fixed-wireless will provide peak download speeds of 12 Mbps

• NBN Co has entered into a contract with Ericsson to develop and operate a 4G fixed-wireless network

• Fixed-wireless rollout is planned to be complete by 2015, with the first services available from mid-2012

Interim satellite service

• On July 1 the interim satellite service was launched by NBN Co

• This provides eligible rural and remote Australians with enhanced broadband services

• By 2015 NBN Co plans to have a long term satellite service

Victorian NBN rollouts

Digital economy services

What are some of the digital economy possibilities?• New opportunities for businesses to expand, to

engage with suppliers and better serve their customers

• Digital technologies to streamline internal work processes and improve information gathering

• Economic and social activities enabled by via internet, mobile and sensor networks.

• Flexible work and study arrangements

Digital economy – strategy development

Agriculture and environment

Knowledge management

Sector development

Where to find out more

For more information

Helen ThompsonDirectorCentre for eCommerce and Communicationswww.cecc.com.auh.thompson@ballarat.edu.au