SAGE-AU has praised the Federal Government's proposed $43 billion Fibre-to-the-Home network for offering better services for consumers, greater competition and underpinning Australia's economic future.

SAGE-AU is the not-for-profit professional organisation representing this country's system administrators, the technology experts who keep computers and networks running.

SAGE-AU President Donna Ashelford said the proposal represented a positive step forward for the Australian telecommunication industry and for consumers. "The proposed network will bring Australian telecommunications into the 21st Century," she said.

"We commend the Government's objectives of creating a world-leading broadband infrastructure, an innovative telecommunications sector and bringing healthy competition to a sector sorely lacking in it."

Yesterday, the Federal Government announced its intention to lead a $43 billion, eight-year project to build a wholesale, fibre-optic broadband network that will reach 90 per cent of Australia's population.

Ms. Ashelford said a central benefit of the Government's proposal was a clear separation between the network's wholesale infrastructure and retail service providers. "This national fibre network will bring an end to Telstra's monopoly control of telecommunications infrastructure," she said.

"As well as creating thousands of jobs to build the network, this initiative will provide quality infrastructure for service providers and encourage greater competition and innovation in the telecommunications sector, which will deliver better services to businesses and individuals.

"In the long term, a Fibre-to-the-Home network covering the nation will underpin Australia's economic future, advancing innovation in content services and providing key environmental benefits through the move to digital delivery and enhanced telecommuting."

Media assistance: Donna Ashelford on 0401 714 350 or email president@sage-au.org.au