OK I know Australia is a long ways away – but this article (Internet economy ‘needs open networks’) from Australia caught my eye today. Apparently Buddecomm, which touts itself as the “world’s largest telecommunications research site, just released a report that “warns that large telecommunication companies must be made to let go of their traditional business models if the rollout of new next generation networks (NGNs) is to be successful.”

Sometimes I think it’s easier to look clearly at someone else’s problem/situation. This article states pretty point blank that Australia needs an Open Network to get and sustain the technology they need and that the telecommunications monopolies aren’t going to buy in without government intervention.

The article suggests that Australia look at Optus Elders’ (OPEL) Network as a model. OPEL is a joint venture between Optus and Elders. They secured $958 million in funding from the Australian Government to deliver affordable broadband services to rural and regional Australians at metro comparable prices.

OPEL will create a competitive wholesale market that will reform the regional telecommunications market enabling retail competition to flourish, empowering consumers and businesses to choose broadband services that suit their particular needs.

It looks as if they just secured funding in June (2007) and the goal is to have the network built by 30 June 2009.

OPEL has a “comments from Industry page” that I think is fun to peruse.

I’ll have to keep my eye on Australia. Actually my husband’s brother lives there and we will be seeing him in about a month so I’ll ask him about access to broadband.