In an open letter published in the Australian Financial Review newspaper, NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine urged the Independent MP's that will play a pivotal role in determining the next government to ensure they are fully informed about the best outcomes for their constituents in the critical broadband debate.

Media Release - August 26th, 2010

Australia's proposed national broadband solution treats regional communities like second class citizens, according to Australia's only independent satellite communications provider.

NewSat Limited claims that schemes like the National Broadband Network (NBN) and Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) treat broadband as a matter of political expediency, rather than focusing on actually delivering the best possible service in a cost effective manner.

In an open letter published in today's Australian Financial Review newspaper, NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine urged the Independent MP that will play a pivotal role in determining the next government to ensure they are fully informed about the best outcomes for their constituents in the critical broadband debate.

Communications services in the electorates represented by these independent are among Australia's worst, but the NBN would not necessarily fix the problem, according to Mr Ballintine.

He also stated that delivering broadband to isolated communities was a matter of social justice, an element that was "blatantly overlooked" in political decision making on the NBN.

"The NBN demonstrates an obsession with technology for its own sake, rather than a means to dramatically improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Australians in a practical way.

"Key decision makers who have shaped broadband policies have been lacking the right knowledge about what is possible, what is needed and what is the best solution," Mr Ballintine said.

Mr Ballintine said that Australia's geography is made for the delivery of broadband services via satellite, which can do the job faster and cheaper than "wiring" the entire nation.

"Effective broadband is part of this country's future, but broadband is not a "one size fits all" solution.

"What's good for the city is not necessarily good for the outback. Australia can reap substantial benefits from existing broadband technologies.

"Satellite solutions are already used to improve the health and welfare of the socially and geographically disadvantaged in Australia. Our political leaders seem to consider that others living in regional areas are not worthy of the same services."

He questioned the $43 billion price tag on the NBN and whether the project will be on-time, under budget and technologically current once the last connection is made, many years from now.
In the letter, Mr Ballintine likened the current political battle to that of the broadband issue in Australia.

"Independents are often ignored or swept under the carpet as either annoying or irrelevant. As the events of the past few days illustrate, clearly they are neither.

Mr Ballintine also outlined NewSat's current capability as Australia's only independent satellite provider, and explained that his company would soon be launching the first wholly Australian-owned satellite, Jabiru-1, which will be "amongst the world's most sophisticated, profitable and advanced satellites."

ENDS

 

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Mr Ballintine's open letter:
> Download as PDF

ABOUT NEWSAT
NewSat is Australia's largest independently operated satellite communications company, providing communications solutions to government, corporations and private enterprise through an increasingly large and diverse network of satellites.

NewSat has strong military credentials, through its provision of vital services to the defence sector. It also services a wide range of clients across the mining and resources and education sectors.

NewSat delivers broadband to Aboriginal communities without postcodes, poverty stricken villages in the Middle East and more recently, to sixteen of Australia's most socially disadvantaged communities in North Western Australia.

Additionally – today – NewSat does provide and can provide:

• Internet based applications
• Voice over internet protocol solutions/Multicasting
• Delivery of content, including  Fetch TV portfolio
• Remote telemedicine, online emergency consultations and other hospital services
• Distance education, technical and further education
• Homeland security and border protection
• Fire & Emergency Services, weather, tsunami and earthquake warnings
• Farming, GPS systems and water supply protection