New Federal Broadband Network.

New Federal Broadband Network.

Comments 4-30pm Tuesday 7th April '09:

So far,so Good, is the first response to the Federal ALP's Broadband announcement.

Since these latest generations of internet etc facitlities have reached us, I've wondered whether the government is wise to “weld” itself to “hardwiring” infrastructure networks.

As society moves with the tide, in electronic and social and employment terms, while aware of my own peculiar situation of ten-plus years of living “on-the-road” as a homeless Nomad, so disenfranchised from a “permanent residence” like a house on a block of land, with a shed and garage, and electricity and telephone to the plug-'ole et al, and with a likely “transience” becoming a more common lifestyle for more and more Australians, I suspect that the more popular means through which Australians will “connect” will become via “wireless” or other means which do not need the hardwires etc of a static cable (posts-and-wires) network.

Please weigh-up the short and long term costs of hardware such as a cable network would need, as compared to broadband wireless towers as nodes of internet and telephonic connection.

I am aware there is concern about the EMR, electro-magnetic-radiation emitted by these airborn signals and energy waves. I am also told that we already have a myriad of these manmade electrical energy phenomena around us in the atmosphere, with some who have studied it expressing serious concern about it's effects upon the mental and physical health of people. The scare about mobile phones and cancer of the last few years is the same, I think, but of only one device. It seems there are a plenitude of them already, something which must be appraised before signing off on any project. Indeed, I suspect there is some merit in the concerns expressed, and suggest that this should be investigated by the federal government as soon as possible, covering the broader aspects of ELECTRO-MAGNETIC-RADIATION, it's presence, and dangers.

To stretch the Green tag a little, I am brought to suggest an eye be turned by someone toward establishing the effects that the apparent mass of EMR have on the animal realm, as in native, domestic and agricultural animals. I'm led to suspect that our o/d of EMR effects “things” on the “subtle” realm also, which may or may not be good for anyone...

Nevertheless...., As Ludite as I am, it does seem a staltifying step, even retrograde, to fix attention on post-and-wires and related hardware and maintenance for a communications system which is seemingly ever-evolving, and up to a less 'mechanical' structure. It may be that posts-and-wires would be harder to repair and maintain in adverse situations of climate, or, as far from us as it is, in times of war. Or in a period of economic depression.

In deciding which means and route the government takes, I think it's worth taking a moment to assess whether Australians will either become more mobile voluntarily, thus wanting and needing less of the “posts-and-wires” scenario, as wireless becomes more popular, affordable and accessible, or are forced into living a less settled existence, yet again, with the affordability and, AND, the more portable hardware.

Just flicking through the different scenarios in mind, it feels that the

We must remember that most of this technology has grown on the back of an industry which is commercially focused, therefore it may be that most of the options currently available to such as the Federal's broadband network are more profit-oriented than toward providing the BEST possible service to the punters.

As the mooted infrastructure is being built for a Purpose rather than for monetary profit, Mr Conroy and the PM would be lacking were they to not have discussions with “mature technicians”, who can weigh the FACTS, not the bottomline, not even the costs, and act as guides for the MPs in what is the Best way to have Australians affordably and geothoroughly communicate electronicly.

“Satellite” has much appeal, but to me it's one, likely to be too insecure, in that privacy, reach and control may be out of everyone's hands, and in the hands of a few 'information junkie' type corporations etc. Two, satellites may be too vulnerable to space-dust and junk, space weather, and martians (!). Three, satellites cannot be easily accessed for repair and maintenance. And, long term, in a war situation, satellites may be early targets by any sophisticated invaders.

As the Federal ALP is keeping-up the verve, in time with the President of the USA, and has strong support for a restructuring of many of our ailing structures and systems, the popular roll for government spending on the good bits needed in all areas of “infrastructure”, thus a more Balanced Socialism, if-I-dare-say (and as it seems we and other western nations agree), rather demands, “by Popular Vote”, that the corporate model of short-term “profit-motive” determining the Commonly used and enjoyed architecture (in soft and hard ware) of our “Patch” of Turf, be abandoned forever, so that governmental Intelligence is employed to make the future as Secure, Smooth and enduring as possible, for all of us.

I am not at all fully informed on these options, but thirty years of watching and thinking about these things, and about the greater good for society, leaves me with serious doubts as to the merit of more post-and-wires type systems of communication.

Yours,

Omaxa bin Eartha.
Outlaw, for Global Land, Tax, Cult and Drug Law Reform
Reforests of Godolonia
Uluruba.