It took 11 years for government to admit it was wrong about broadband
The NBN started off as an expensive but ambitious plan under Labor in 2009. After spending a decade tearing the central idea down, the Coalition is copying it.
"This is the decision for the times ... This is a technology which all Australians, country and city, rural and regional, deserve and need."
So said then-prime minister Kevin Rudd on April 7 2009, as he stood next to his communications minister, Stephen Conroy, and announced the beginning of a new national broadband network strategy.
Paul SmithTechnology editorPaul Smith edits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy. Connect with Paul on Twitter. Email Paul at psmith@afr.com
