BROADBAND IN PERSPECTIVE
We continually have slanging matches over Government funded (you, the
taxpayer) Broadband delivery that is, NBN vs Fibre To The Node.
Take out the grandstanding, and what does this mean.
A possible analogy is Australia Post. Mail is consolidated at Mail Exchanges
around Australia, sorted, and destined to distribution centers based on
Postcode. Mail is moved in bulk between Exchanges and Distribution Centers
by the likes of aircraft, trains and trucks. From the distribution centers
it is delivered to premises with street access (and a letterbox) by a
"postie" on a "postie-bike" (before this, by older technology in the form of
a Push-Bike). It is common for mail to businesses in the CBD, and other
commercial precincts, to be either collected directly from a Post Office or
delivered by a Postie on foot with a purpose built trolley. Two reasons for
delivery on foot, bulk of mail or inaccessabbility by postie-bike.
The postie-bike method is used for most residents as it is the most
appropriate, efficient and cost effective. Most residents do not run a
business from home, and therefore do not require delivery of size not
catered for by the postie-bike. Many residential streets do not comfortably
cater for large vehicles. It would be senseless if Australia Post provided
posties with a truck, rather than a postie-bike, just in case someone was
running a business from home!
The NBN appears to be the equivalent of trying to provide for the capability
of a truck(or MotoGP bike) to deliver mail to all residential premises just
in case somebody wants/needs it. The equivalent of postie-bikes (the copper
network) will be scrapped. You will have an equivalent choice, costly
delivery by truck, or none at all, or a courier vehicle (third party
wireless).
The Fibre To The Node solution is like Australia Post. Exchanges and
Distribution Points upgraded with Fibre Optic technology. Existing
connections (the copper wire) already in place (postie-bike flexibility)
being used to deliver to residential premises.
What gets lost in the debate is that the younger generation are using mobile
devices for internet services. Remote and rural communities get poor
service, if in fact any service at all. I personally would be more satisfied
if those currently without any, or a reasonable service are catered for
first, before those of us who currently have have a service adequate for
most needs, get a Rolls Royce solution.