Effectiveness and Efficiency in the Build-Up of High-Speed Broadband Platforms in Australia and New Zealand

Communications & Strategies, No. 91, 3rd Quarter 2013, pp. 35-55

21 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2014

See all articles by Fernando Beltrán

Fernando Beltrán

University of Auckland Business School

Date Written: October 3, 2013

Abstract

The government of Australia is investing close to AUD $37.4 billion into the deployment of a nationwide broadband network, the National Broadband Network (NBN). Likewise, the New Zealand national broadband initiative, whereby the government is currently building a nation-wide fibre-optics network known as the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network, is investing NZD $1.5 billion with a similar amount expected from private partners. This paper analyses key elements in the plans developed by Australia and New Zealand while inquiring about the pros and cons of the approach followed by each country, specifically referring to the effectiveness and efficiency with which their fibre-based access networks are being built. The paper summarises results from recent literature on the reasons for public intervention in broadband expansion and builds an analytical framework that inquires on the extent to which each broadband initiative has been an effective vehicle of fibre-based, broadband expansion and their efficiency in the transition towards fibre-based broadband.

Keywords: fibre-to-the-home broadband platform, Australia broadband national initiative, New Zealand broadband national initiative, Public-private partnership, effectiveness, efficiency

JEL Classification: L96

Suggested Citation

Beltrán, Fernando, Effectiveness and Efficiency in the Build-Up of High-Speed Broadband Platforms in Australia and New Zealand (October 3, 2013). Communications & Strategies, No. 91, 3rd Quarter 2013, pp. 35-55, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2448250

Fernando Beltrán (Contact Author)

University of Auckland Business School ( email )

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Private Bag 92019
Auckland, 1010
New Zealand
+64 9 9237850 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/f-beltran

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