Google on Australian Broadband Future
The Government put a Request for Proposal out to public comment on the future of Australian Broadband. This is being done under a project known as the NBN,
National Broadband Network. I read many of these proposals, and of the lot, Only Google’s addressed many of the important issues, such as Net Neturality, Peering Agreements/Internet Exchanges locally, and the International Cable Connections.
3 extremely large and important political issues, missed by Ericsson’s Content only Approach, Juniper’s DSLForum quoting, iinet’s great take on the last mile, but missing the bigger picture, Vodafone’s 2 page fax, and Telstra’s Straight to dollars approach. I’ve put together a post highlighting parts of Google’s submission.
Google’s submission is very well written. It’s specific, but not wordy. They have added history and important details, but haven’t added to the page length. It’s 50 pages shorter than some of the more lengthy submissions, it’s easier to read, says more, and covers parts of the market others haven’t even looked at.
Google imagines an Australia in which broadband Internet is universally accessible, at world class speeds, at affordable prices. Faster broadband, in more places, delivered over a wider range of technologies, at prices that enable the services to be fully used as part of Australians’ daily lives, will ensure that Australians can fully engage in the global digital economy and Australian businesses can more effectively compete on the world stage.
An open Internet is good for Australian consumers and businesses
Google commends the Australian Government for acknowledging the critical importance of broadband to the future of Australia and for its proactive, consultative approach in developing a national broadband policy. Google agrees with the Government that Australia’s future productivity, wealth competitiveness and wealth creation relies on world class infrastructure and that in this global economy, no infrastructure is more crucial than advanced communications networks.
Consideration should be given to promoting a regulatory environment that protects user choice, competition and innovation on the Internet.
Internet users are increasingly important producers, not simply consumers, of content and applications. As such, the Government should ensure the availability of high symmetrical broadband speeds (both download/upload) as a critical enabler of the social and economic benefits to be derived from the NBN.
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“Google is helping Australians overcome the tyranny of distance. We measure distances not in hundreds of kilometres, but in milliseconds.” Dr Vince Cerf
Australia is a vital country for Google and makes a substantial contribution to Google’s worldwide operations. Google Australia, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, provides Google Inc. with local support and representation in Australia.
An open Internet promotes innovation, social discourse and economic growth
Some ISPs have mooted the possibility of charging users (or content providers) extra for various services they claim are enjoying a “free ride” on Internet networks. Google submits that this analysis is simplistic, wrong and dangerous. Under the Internet’s longstanding charging arrangements, each party pays for its own connection to the Internet and then is free to utilise that connection in whatever ways are desired.
The NBN should be rolled out in areas least served with broadband infrastructure first.
Google submits that the best solution to Australia’s international capacity cost and vulnerability challenges is robust competition in the market. With only four major cables running into the country, and the vast majority of the traffic transiting across just one cable (Southern Cross), this is a legitimate concern and worth exploring.
Unfortunately for Australian internet users, the peering environment in Australia is full of unique challenges.
Many major providers offer their own content services. This provides an incentive to discriminate against competing content services by degrading traffic speeds, or even by refusing to peer with content company offering a competing service.
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