Policy Matters
Broadband Becomes Global Priority
Many countries are developing broadband plans as they look to provide faster Internet connections that will strengthen productivity, enhance health and education, and improve their citizens’ way of life.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard holds fiber optic cable while visiting VisionStream Warehouse in Perth.
If you don't believe that broadband is shaping national agendas worldwide, consider this: It recently helped determine Australia's government. After a two-and-a-half-week deadlock resulting from the Aug. 21 election, the fate of the Australian government was left to a handful of members of the House of Representatives. A major reason for the final vote going in favor of the Labor Party on a 76-74 count was the National Broadband Plan. Australia will now move forward with its plan to run fiber-optic cable to 93 percent of the country's homes and provide minimum 100 Mbps speeds.
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