Broadband development is a key priority for the Australian Government. An extensive review of broadband policy has been undertaken over the last two years.

This has included:

• the Broadband Advisory Group process,

• the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry,

• the House of Representatives' Inquiry into Wireless Broadband Technologies,

• the Framework for the Future and

• the Higher Education Bandwidth Advisory Committee process.

The Australian Government has also worked cooperatively with all state and territory governments to develop the National Broadband Strategy.

This Strategy addresses the recommendation of the Broadband Advisory Group that the Australian Government adopt a coordinated approach to broadband in a national strategy.

Features of the Strategy include;

• Australian Telework Advisory Committee – Call for Public Submissions

• Australia's National Broadband Strategy

• The National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group

• The National Broadband Strategy Programs:
  • Coordinated Communications Infrastructure Fund [CCIF]
  • Demand Aggregation Broker Program [DAPB]
  • Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme [HIBIS]

[Source: DCITA]