Controversial Telecommunications giant 'Telstra' is poised to take government communication minister Helen Coonan to court over the 'topped up' Broadband Connect Program funding decision. The Optus and Elders consortium (OPEL) were awarded funding to the amount of $1 billion to develop Broadband in rural and regional areas, however Telstra wants to know exactly why they weren't given the opportunity to tender for that amount when the initial funding offered was supposed to be set at $600 million.
According to Telstra, "The Broadband Connect Program Guidelines offered 'up to $600 million' of taxpayers' money to provide broadband to 'underserved' rural and regional areas. Telstra submitted its proposal on that basis." However, instead, almost $1 billion was ultimately awarded to the SingTel Optus and Elders consortium (Opel) to, according to Telstra "largely duplicate existing services with little net benefit to rural Australians."
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