The government’s digital strategy is embarking on the next step of its broadband map development, aimed at assisting the evaluation of supply and demand for broadband communications around the country.
The map was released as a proof-of-concept beta version at last year’s Digital Summit 2.0 and has been available for viewing through a link from the Digital Strategy website. The public have been able to view existing networks and enter a limited amount of data on facilities at particular locations known to them and likely to affect demand on the network.
The State Services Commission has now issued a request for proposal for a revamped version of the map.
Businesses should be able to input the current bandwidth requirement at their address and their estimated requirement in five years’ time.
Residential users will be encouraged to enter details of the broadband services currently available at their address and an “indication of why [the current] broadband is unsatisfactory”.
The accumulated information is expected to stimulate providers to fill the gaps between user needs and supply.
“Demand aggregation is a powerful mechanism for government, local government and the business community to stimulate new capital investment in broadband network infrastructure and to promote competition by providing potential investors with greater certainty when assessing an opportunity,” says the SSC. “The aggregation of demand can result in greater benefits than can be achieved by users entering into individual contracts.”