Aussies need internet capacity: Telstra

The plan for an underground fibre optic network to deliver high-speed broadband to
Australians may be up in the air, but a Telstra tech boss says bigger is better.
After 12 months of National Broadband Network (NBN) negotiations, Telstra in June
signed an $A11 billion ($US9.290 billion) non-binding financial agreement with the
federal government.
But that was before the August 21 poll, the result of which is yet to be decided.
Labor's plan for a $43 billion NBN, which had begun its roll out before the
election, would be fast, use loads of fibre and is considered the "bells and
whistles" version of broadband.
The coalition said they would scrap Labor's "white elephant" and instead deliver a
private, cheaper, slower scheme, incorporating a variety of technologies, including
wireless.
Who governs will hinge on the vote of three independents keen to secure good
internet delivery to their regional constituents and have made statements that lean
towards Labor's plan.
Despite the uncertainty, Telstra's chief executive David Thodey, told AAP on July 27
he would not speculate on the future of the company if the coalition won power.
"We make decisions based on what we've got in front of us. If that changes, it
changes, and if it doesn't, it doesn't," Mr Thodey said.
"Our position is, as they make their decisions, we'll make an appropriate response
as a commercial organisation."
In Brisbane on Tuesday, Telstra's non-executive director, and the company's
technical guru, Steve Vamos, who dodged many questions about the NBN, said it is
best to prepare for the future.
"As a citizen, as an Australian, clearly having great infrastructure and
communications is a good thing for our society and our country and we should all
support that," he told the audience at a QUT business leaders' forum.
"I think it's better that you err on the side of having good capacity than
under-engineering ... the more the better, but the issues and economics around that
can't be ignored."
Telstra shareholders don't appear to be worried about the uncertainty with shares
trading at $2.81, dipping only four cents, or 1.44 per cent, since the election.



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