The Institute of Public Affairs has released a report that redraws the network coverage maps with a more conservative estimate of WiMAX range capabilities and taking into account topographical features. Its conclusions are grim.
The Mebourne-based Institute of Public Affairs is described by the web site sourcewatch.org as being closely associated with the Liberal Party, with its executive director having been pre-selected by the party in a number of elections.
IPR Research Fellow Chris Berg says the estimates of WiMAX range were overly optimistic when government was considering regional broadband proposals. The awarding of a $950 million in government subsidies to the Optus Elders joint venture Opel were overly optimistic as a result.
Originally, Government claimed WiMAX range could be as high as 70 kilometres – wildly optimistic. It later wound this claim back to 20 kilometres, which IPR says is still far too generous and does not take into account topography.
“When the maps of WiMAX coverage that were paraded around by the Communications Minister after the Opel announcement are redrawn with a more realistic range, the difference is stark,” Mr Berg says.
“A more likely range for the WiMAX deployments would be in the region of five to ten kilometres. To be uncharitable, when considering environmental and topographical factors, a maximum range of as little as one or two kilometres is entirely possible,” he said.
The IPA report also notes that: “The need for a fibre-optic network in Australia is manifestly clear.”
Labor Communications spokesman Stephen Conroy seized on the IPR report, and called on Government to come clean on the real coverage of its broadband plan.
“Only Federal Labor has a plan to drag Australia out of the digital dark ages, ensuring all Australians – including those in rural and regional areas – have improved broadband services at an affordable price,” Senator Conroy said.
“Federal Labor’s network will be open access, creating a competitive framework to drive consumer prices down,” he said.
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