September 7th, 2010

The roll-out of Labor's $43 billion National Broadband Network project is set to resume following the announcement earlier today that Labor had secured the requisite number of votes to form a minority government with three independents and one Greens MP.

In announcing that they would side with Labor earlier today, both independent MPs Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott highlighted securing high-speed broadband as an important deciding factor.

The government will ensure its National Broadband Network will have uniform wholesale prices across the country, while regional Australia also will be given priority as the network rolls out, newly reelected Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today in a press conference.

NBN Co's welcomed Labor's win.

"We will now work to restore deferred processes, including the recruitment of staff," NBN Co said in a statement. "Everyone at NBN Co is looking forward to working with business, government, the community and our customers to deliver a high-speed broadband future for all Australians."

The company said it would meet with its "shareholder ministers" to discuss the future policy directions.

With the project set to continue now, research director at analyst house Ovum, David Kennedy said that by the time the next election rolled around, the NBN should be in full speed.

"We would expect substantial fibre roll-outs to occur around the country over the next three years," he said. "They have eight years to roll out connections to about 10 million households. Now obviously there will be a ramp-up phase, but by the end of that parliament would we would expect them to be going at full speed."