Dunno if this is the right thread but i want to tell anyone who hasnt herd. Read the following article and reply with what you think!
Govt to open up Telecom network for faster broadband
03.05.06 5.45pm
The Government announced tonight that it would require the local loop to be unbundled and other changes to provide faster and better broadband internet services.
Communications Minister David Cunliffe outlined details of a package which included:
* Requiring the unbundling of the local loop and sub-loop copper-wire lines between telephone exchanges and homes and businesses, allowing other internet Service Providers to compete fully with Telecom to provide faster, cheaper broadband,
* Regulatory action such as information disclosure, accounting separation of Telecom's business operations and an enhanced Commerce Commission monitoring role in order to ensure improved competition,
* Removal of constraints on the existing regulated Unbundled Bitstream Service to ensure ISPs can offer better and cheaper broadband at upload speeds faster than 128kps,
* Encourage investment in alternative infrastructure and other measures.
Broadband allows for high speed access to the internet and is seen by many as being key factor in improving economic efficiency in New Zealand.
The announcement follows months of signals from senior MPs including the Prime Minister Helen Clark and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen that they were unhappy with broadband uptake rates, the cost and data limits.
This is good news, although I don't think anyone's going to see any change for a year or two. Government is so slow at moving with these things (as most burocratic processes are).
I didn't expect any other response from Telecom, they want to stand up for themselves, not lie down and say, fair cop gov. It's interesting how they go on about how rural infrastructure will suffer though. I wonder what percentage of the population live in rural areas.
Also, I'd like to know how much it'll be to put equipment at an exchange. Will it be cheap enough for any small ISP to do so? Or just the big players? I hope that it's cheap enough so we can put DSLAMs at the exchange and provide backhaul for access points etc.
It sounds like the govt will provide funding for other broadband projects, so it may be a time to get the free wifi project off the ground.
This is also good news for phone pricing, no longer will you have to have a Telecom phone line.
Yes it is good news, though I hope they will not forget the rural (unprofitable) customers, as they really need a boost as well. I suspect they will only go where they can make stacks of money. It will still probably be up to the wireless providers to reach allot of the rural customers.
From what the communications minister was saying on Campbell Live, the govt is pushing rural broadband development, something telecom hadn't been too keen to do because of lack of profitability, although telecom were quick to say "what about the rural ppl, they'll suffer thanks to LLU"
Local Loop Unbundling 
Xtraordinary Broadband: brought to you by the Commerce Commission 
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