Turnbull’s NBN plan “technologically illiterate”, claims CEPU

The Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (CEPU) has criticised Malcolm Turnbull’s plans to cut back the National Broadband Network (NBN) from fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) to fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) should the Coalition win government in 2013, calling the plans “technologically illiterate”.

A statement from the Union said the plan “proves the Shadow Communications Minister still fundamentally does not understand the importance of the infrastructure”.

According to the CEPU, Turnbull’s proposed plans include stopping the fibre cable up to a kilometre from business and homes, rather than directly to premises, using copper wire to complete the connection.

“It’s clear from Mr Turnbull’s position and his arguments that he still thinks of the NBN as just a quicker way to surf the web and send emails,” said CEPU Assistant National Secretary Allen Hicks.

“He appears to be completely blind as to the world of opportunities superfast fibre connections will offer to schools, hospitals, businesses and households as we head into the future.”

Hicks said that Turnbull’s plan would be wasteful as it would incur most of the costs but deliver few of the benefits of the full NBN rollout as it currently stands.

“Mr Turnbull’s often repeated argument about wireless devices is technologically illiterate. Yes, devices like iPads and smartphones connect wirelessly but, as any user will tell you, those devices work best with Wi-Fi provided by a fixed line service. A full rollout of the NBN will mean lighting fast connections will be available for wireless devices in 93% of premises across the country.”

Hicks said that recent polls show that 56% of Australians are in favour of the current NBN plan, with 25% opposed to the project.