Rural NSW broadband trial seeks SPs

Consultancy Badja Interconnect has called for service providers and user groups to contribute to a rural broadband access trial scheduled for April in north-eastern NSW.

The trial will cover rural areas from Moree to Parkes and east to the coast, although other regions may be considered. A post-trial conference is slated for May, and wrap-up briefings in July, Badja Interconnect said.

At least two carriers - one demonstrating long distance connectivity and one showing local access - are expected to be used, the company said, and negotiations are underway with some suitable candidates.

Other service providers are sought for the trial, which will include a showcase of applications and services that take advantage of various types of broadband.

ASP offerings and DNS-based electronic numbering (ENUM) facilities will be on show, the company said, and VoIP providers are keenly sought for inclusion. One application provider sought to partner a vendor offering a VoIP-to-traditional-PSTN gateway.

Robert Brand, director of telecommunications at Badja Interconnect, has said that the aim of the showcase is to drum up support for higher speed internet adoption in the bush by displaying the potential benefits of broadband technology to regional businesses and consumers, such as improved productivity for smaller business.

Badja Interconnect believes that a key factor in rural broadband success will be a high rate of adoption, due to the lower population density of country areas.

Providers need to concretely demonstrate value-for-money to locals who might be sceptical about new technologies, the company said.

Associated marketing and advertising opportunities would also be available, Badja Interconnect said.

Those interested can contact Robert Brand by phoning (02) 9572 6227 or emailing robert.brand@badja.com