README NOW: About the NBN

Viewing ‘internet subscriptions’ as the business case for the NBN is like viewing the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a business entity which derives profit through charging tolls: worst business case ever. But when viewed (correctly) as an infrastructure we see how it opened up Sydney’s North Shore and led to the development of several CBDs which have generated> trillions > of dollars for Australia’s economy. It’s also proved so globally noteworthy that it’s generated a fortune in marketing Australia to tourists. What are the exact figures in all this? How can we tell? All I know is that they’re huge and dwarf the cost of the original build.

via abc.net.au

This is by far the best, most balanced, most accessible, and most thorough article about the NBN I’ve ever read. It should be required reading for everyone in Australia.

As I’ve been saying for years: The NBN is not about fast Internet for all. The NBN is about replacing our ageing copper infrastructure (which has done a really good job for about 100 years) with an infrastructure made of glass, which should last (at least) another 100 years.

The DSL family of technologies is pushing what’s possible over copper wires to an extreme that is one step away from voodoo. I’m frankly amazed that it works as well as it does. Copper’s done. Finished. It’s served us well, but it’s time to move on, and glass is the future.

Putting aside the Sydney-centric-ness of it all (which will annoy more sensitive Melbnians, and I apologise) the analogy (above) to the Sydney Harbour Bridge is very apt. It’s not about the direct benefits, it’s about the huge indirect benefits. Quoting again from the article: “The entire NBN will be paid for by the cost SAVINGS to the health service”.

Sure, it may end up being cheaper to wait 10 years for the technology to become more widespread, but thanks to the mining boom, we have the money now. Invest the money in infrastructure now, while we have it, and reap the gains for decades.

Follow the link. Read the article.