As the forthcoming Federal Election gears up a notch, Prime Minister John Howard says Aussie Broadband Speeds are OK, Labor talks $8billion dollars for new joint Network, and reports show Australia is lagging behind leader Japan with speeds 35 times slower. Howard says Broadband Internet speeds will be improved over the next couple of years, but it might be a case of too little too late. A recent report also suggests that we're paying 9 times as much for our Broadband services compared to other countries. While the Libs appear to have dropped the 'ball' on Broadband, Labor commits to plans for developing a Broadband Network in conjunction with the Private sector which will pave the way for Broadband speeds 40 times faster than whats currently available.
Opposition communications and information technology spokesman Stephen Conroy says Labor wants to use the $2 billion Communications Fund to build partnerships with the private sector and roll out an $8 billion national broadband network.
Prime Minister John Howard has defended Australia's broadband speeds.
"We are laying out speeds of 12 megabits per second for 99 per cent of the community," he said.
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