Release Date: 4/02/2014
PEAK business body, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has called for the timetable for the roll-out of the National Broadband Network to be confirmed. It says the timetable should then be locked in stone.
Addressing the Senate Select Committee inquiry into the NBN in Hobart today, TCCI Chief Executive Michael Bailey said the business community, like most of Tasmania, was increasingly uncertain about the timing and extent of the roll-out.
“The NBN has become something of a political football, but business and the community need to have some certainty,” Mr Bailey said.
“The suppliers and contractors need to sort out the arrangements and provide the details of when areas will be connected.
“Following on from what we now see as previous extravagant claims regarding the early roll-out, we need to know when we will be connected and can start to gain the benefits of a high-speed internet.
“Businesses in remote areas of Tasmania also need to be reassured that they will not be left in the lurch when the existing copper wire system is removed and they lose fax and security links.”
Mr Bailey said, as the first state to be connected to the NBN, Tasmanians were promised a distinct advantage, but this was rapidly dissipating.
“The NBN is crucially important to modern business and it has the capacity to transform many areas of Tasmanian business.
“Minister Malcolm Turnbull his Department and NBNCo should immediately confirm the Tasmanian timetable and then deliver it accordingly,” Mr Bailey said.
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Contact: TCCI Chief Executive, Michael Bailey, mobile 0437 322 338