Sydney, June 6, 2007 (ABN Newswire) - The stakes have been raised since bipartisan political approval has been given for spending billions of dollars on new broadband infrastructure. Some $5 billion, at least, is at issue and international interest in these developments is evident.

The key will be to try and achieve the best possible outcome. This might be difficult since diametrically opposed political and business interests are in the balance as well. Nevertheless there are enough people pushing for solutions that will be in the best interest of Australia.

If the regulatory environment is right the government needs to spend significantly less money. Telecommunications is a profitable and lucrative business and the financial market is also watching this space with great interest. At the very least new infrastructure should be based on structural separation.

The Roundtable will update on national developments. The various projects, such as Broadband Connect/the Labor Broadband plan will be discussed, and the technology mix, FttH/FttN, wireless, BPL and ADSL2+, will be unravelled.

AGENDA

09.30 - 10.00
 Arrival and coffee
 
10.00 - 10.15
 Welcome, introduction of delegates
 
10.15 - 11.15
 High level infrastructure vision and strategies.

Paul Budde
 
11.15 - 11.45
 Morning coffee
 
11.45 - 12.05
 Getting the groundwork in place: regulations and policies.

Rosemary Sinclair ATUG
 
12.05 - 12.25
 Investing in telecoms

Mark McDonnell, Telecommunications, Media & Technology Analyst, BBY Limited

12.30 - 13.30
 Light lunch
 
13.30 - 13.50
 Infrastructure developments - fixed networks and facilities

Malcolm Roe, Business Development Director, Nextgen Networks

13.50 - 14.10
 Developments in wireless infrastructure

David Spence Unwired
 
14.10 - 14.40
 Afternoon coffee
 
14.40 - 16.30
 Panel discussion with presenters

16.30
 Close

In the panel discussions delegates have the opportunity to discuss of course the various market and industry developments with the experts but also query them about how they forecast, what criteria they use, etc.

Cost includes morning/afternoon coffee and lunch

Venue: The Observatory Hotel, 89-113 Kent Street, Sydney

Booking:

Online registration:
http://www.budde.com.au/consultancy/public-workshops-seminars.html