Friday, September 15, 2006
Councils Plans
I have to congratulate Port Macquarie Hastings Council on their realization that broadband is an essential piece of infrastructure. Cr Rob Drew said that “Broadband should be seen as a basic infrastructure like roads, water and sewerage - and regarded in a similar manner as a basic phone line." Quite true, I know several “tree changers” who honestly decided on their house purchase on the criteria that it could get high speed broadband.
Broadband infrastructure brings jobs, decentralization of large businesses, the breaking down of country / city barriers and many more opportunities. Council claims it has come up with a plan that could be replicated throughout the country. Having just come back from a inland NSW trip I can see why PMHC’s plan is important to improving country life. With a share holder, profit making and minimalist customer service orientated telco market it is falling more and more on the shoulders of local government to provide basic services and this expansion into the telecommunications field is a welcome one.
With voice over IP & broadband services independent of the Telstra wholesale infrastructure the council has the abilities to offer a full communications service as well as reduce its own costs should this plan go ahead.
PMHC is often criticized for its lack of understanding of the needs of rate payers, lack of foresight when it comes to infrastructure (namely the cultural centre) and sometimes the standard of basic infrastructure like roads, water supply, drainage and sewerage. I can honestly say after driving through inland NSW we have pretty good infrastructure.
However, this brilliant insight into broadband infrastructure should bring jobs, improved socio-economic factors for our area and dare I say it in combination with the cultural and arts centre the grounds, platform and abilities for a digital art, digital music and specialist video festivals to set up in Port Macquarie.
Broadband infrastructure brings jobs, decentralization of large businesses, the breaking down of country / city barriers and many more opportunities. Council claims it has come up with a plan that could be replicated throughout the country. Having just come back from a inland NSW trip I can see why PMHC’s plan is important to improving country life. With a share holder, profit making and minimalist customer service orientated telco market it is falling more and more on the shoulders of local government to provide basic services and this expansion into the telecommunications field is a welcome one.
With voice over IP & broadband services independent of the Telstra wholesale infrastructure the council has the abilities to offer a full communications service as well as reduce its own costs should this plan go ahead.
PMHC is often criticized for its lack of understanding of the needs of rate payers, lack of foresight when it comes to infrastructure (namely the cultural centre) and sometimes the standard of basic infrastructure like roads, water supply, drainage and sewerage. I can honestly say after driving through inland NSW we have pretty good infrastructure.
However, this brilliant insight into broadband infrastructure should bring jobs, improved socio-economic factors for our area and dare I say it in combination with the cultural and arts centre the grounds, platform and abilities for a digital art, digital music and specialist video festivals to set up in Port Macquarie.
# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 1:50 AM 
