Three ways to improve the NBN – a broadband policy for the next federal election

At the time of writing, the Australia Opposition has agreed that the National Broadband Network will be here to stay. However, if it wins the federal election on 14 September 2013, it proposes to implement the remaining rollout in what it believes to be a more cost-effective way. Given the bipartisan agreement finally reached on the need for an NBN, this editorial suggests three ways in which it can be improved, to the greater benefit of both the community (in social cohesion and inclusiveness) and the national economy - at negligible additional cost to whichever government is in power.