Open letter to NBN
Professor Rod Tucker and I may disagree about the NBN’s technology mix but we have found common cause in the problems with the current business model and how to fix it.
We argue that the volume of data transferred should be the basis of wholesale charges for the NBN, not the bandwidth provided to the user.
We also argue that all users should have full access to the bandwidth capabilities of the particular technology connecting their premises.
For more, read How to fix the NBN
Price rebalancing to make the NBN affordable
It is not generally appreciated that the nbn™ has never claimed that CVC is backhaul. It says it is only a pricing construct. This is a follow-up to last week’s column ((the Blame Game – Cutting teh Gordina Knot) explaining how CVCs introduces congestion when it does not have to. There is a better way to charge for usage that will unleash the economic potential of the NBN. See Economuse 2017-8-10
Letter to Comms Day, 2 August
Letter to the Editor in response to Bill Morrow’s comments on CVCs and market behaviour.
The blame game – Cutting the Gordian Knot
Who is to blame for poor speed and poor performance on the NBN? The pricing of the NBN is certainly knotted. It is more complex than it needs to be and that complexity leads to the current arguments about speed and performance.
VHA’s public submission to the nbn seems to have influenced its CEO, Bill Morrow, in his announcement that he will be looking to revise pricing to “have a minimum assurance of a certain quality of product”. But, VHA’s proposed rebalancing of NBN pricing would some matters worse.
There is a simpler pricing regime that will improve both speed and performance and remove the blame from the nbn.
SafetyNet – Beyond Mobile Roaming
Rural and remote areas will continue to struggle to keep up with urban telecommunications despite the progress that has been made with initiatives such as the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) and the NBN fixed wireless and satellite. A more radical approach is needed as we consider updating the Universal Service Obligation, public safety network options and mobile roaming. Instead of more expensive small gains at the margin, or counter productive roaming arrangements, we should take a large step forward by having the Commonwealth, States and MNOs work together.
To read more, click Economuse 2017-2-03-safety net