FED: Broadband will be affordable: Tanner

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2009
FED: Broadband will be affordable: Tanner

CANBERRA, April 8 AAP - The federal government is adamant its high-speed broadband
service will be affordable, saying it will put strong downward pressure on prices.

The government is planning to roll out a national network from early next year, through
a public-private company in which it holds a majority interest.

But the opposition has questioned whether the $43 billion network will be commercially viable.

Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner says it is, and that it will be a huge boon to the
economy, productivity and jobs.

"(It) will ... put very strong downward pressure on prices," he told ABC Television.

The nation's biggest telco, Telstra, could contribute to the project.

AAP sld/rl/ldj

KEYWORD: BROADBAND TANNER

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