I’m not a member of a political party, and both the current government and opposition are complete disappointments to me, however from where I sit the NBN certainly fills the criteria of investing some of our boom’s dividends in the future, a project that would not, and possibly could not, have been contemplated in tougher times.

In upping my family’s broadband to 200GB, at the highest current speed, the increased access it provided was dramatic. ABC’s IView as an example is brilliant for fitting programs into busy family lives. With two at high school the wealth of online video content on their various subjects is a boon.

We live in a small rural township yet when I was doing a job earlier last week in a 10 year old suburb of one of Australia’s largest towns I found the house owner bemoaning the fact they still had to rely on wireless broadband as they were “too far away from Telstra's exchange”. The service was expensive, intermittent, and frustrating the hell out of him this is despite the fact the provider’s tower was just up the hill. I didn’t ask his political preference (being the secretary of the local gun club gave me some inkling), yet I had a very strong sense that his vote could well be influenced by decent internet provision.

The position of the opposition is this ‘yesterday’s technology’ is cheaper and able to connect just as many homes. It appears short sighted and makes me pity Malcolm Turnbull for having to prosecute this stance for them. This type of infrastructure spending should have been right up the Liberal's tree.

By the next election over a million homes will be connected, all to some degree experiencing what we did and providing a sense of envy in those yet to be linked, it is an issue that will decide votes.

I certainly have some reservations about the process but I see the NBN as a positive, future proofing measure that will serve this nation well. Many others I speak to are voicing the same thoughts

I'm undecided really.

The thing that stands out for me is the attempt to eliminate competition by forcing the decommission of the copper network. If it's so good, why are they so scared of competition. If people are happy to pay much less for the copper connection they should be able to. What are they scared of? Huh?

And I am unhappy with the scope of the project, and think the user should pay for connection from the street IF it is so desired. To the home is a step too far.

Providing infrastructure for free to many people who don't even want it, while eliminating the competition?

I wonder what 40 billion dollars could be better spent on, and it seems to me the government are being a tad totalitarian about the whole thing. And they argue the case like they are inventing the internet and claim you will now be able to do things with the NBN that any fool knows you can already do now.

I don't believe rolling it out in the country areas first makes any financial sense

Still, my porn will be faster, cant argue with that.

Most people currently use the internet for entertainment, or the majority of bandwidth is used for entertainment. Do we need $40 billion better entertainment.

Oh, but we are planning for the future. Well, I'd rather spend money on rail lines to nowhere, because one day people will want to use them huh.

Thanks for thread, and nice to see one of the very many we have had start out pro.
Without doubt the Snowy river project would have had its opponents as you are about to find out this subject has too.
It has been used as a weapon against this government rolled up and thrown at them often.
We will again see some uninformed tell us it is about playing games or sending e mails faster.
Lets look at the facts, just as you find no good in both party's some will with good reason, continue to ignore some facts.
Those around me,who did not ask for government help get no better than 25kbs, often, half the time, reduced to 12.
My Satellite gives art best 56kbs.
It can and often does drop to near nil or gone completely.
You and major city folk can get your speed I would love it go without other things for it.
Our country needs high speeds in the bush and not just for play, I never play games .
Like most things time will come this in place ,,and most will forget their negativity.
It will pay for it self in just regional development.
Watch the stones fly, understand however those behind them are not interested in out comes other than standing in the way of progress for political gain
You by the way support them by voting other than mainstream.

Csteele,

Good for you, I'm glad that you enjoy it and have what you and your family want,
never mind even that I had to pay for your pleasure with my tax-money,
but why would you want to take away my (copper) phone line, which I want to retain
(and which for personal reasons that I cannot disclose here, is my only option for having a phone at all)?

I hear you Houellebecq, but I can’t help but think it speaks to an Australian ethic, one that I hope still informs our decisions, about the provision of services to all Australians and it is something we should be proud of.

For instance I am happy to spend 60 rather than let’s say 50 cents on a stamp if it means that people all over this country can post a letter at a flat rate. I understand I am subsidising this service to the more remote of our citizens but most Australians would see this as an acceptable cost even if it is for something as trivial as a postcard from holidaying family (not as important as your porn Houellebecq).

There have been some pretty serious attempts to break up the more lucrative parts of Australia Post which would ultimately see the government provide the subsidies required but what we have works on a number of levels.

Perhaps we need to accept it as part of being Australians, we have looked after our common wealth differently to other countries. I for one would like that to continue.

Dear Belly,

56kbs? Ouch. Sorry mate, I’m on 20Mbs promised, 12Mbs actual. Feeling guilty.

Dear Yuyutsu,

Your taxes have not contributed to one red cent of my connection. Perhaps you may after we get the NBN connection but right certainly not right now.

Investing in the future?

The latest statistics show that nearly half new broadband connections are mobile wireless. While fibre is better a connection the lack of mobility is an issue. While fibre is technically better, it is becoming functionally obsolete.

This mirrors the comparison between the mobile phone vs fixed line. There are about twice as many mobile phones as landlines, and telstra has long recognised that the land line business is dying. The sale of these to NBN Co is a godsend.

Perhaps the motto for the NBN should be:

"Yesterday's technology today, whether you want it or not."