Some comments on Paul Fletcher's article 'Broadband: What is the problem to be solved, and is the NBN solving it?'

The Member for Bradfield has argued well for the Coalition's position on the NBN (Fletcher 2012). I would like to present an alternative perspective on some of the key issues surrounding the NBN implementation. Most importantly I wish to counter some extravagant assertions such as the NBN being 'stupendously expensive and unnecessarily complicated'. I will argue that the nation can and must afford it, and that from the 100,000-foot level, the Coalition approach to the NBN is essentially identical to the existing NBN Co plan; the difference lies in the timeline to full implementation.