The Commonwealth Government is providing funding of up to $4.7 billion for the roll-out of an open access, high-speed, fibre-based national broadband network (NBN) that will provide access speeds of at least 12 megabits per second to 98% of Australian homes and businesses. The remaining two per cent of Australians not covered by the NBN are to have, as yet undefined, improved Broadband services.

On 11 April 2008, the Commonwealth Government announced:

a) the release of the NBN tender seeking industry proposals

b) an invitation to industry and public interest groups seeking submissions on possible regulatory reforms to be implemented with the NBN (closing 25 June 2008)

c) a call for submissions on policy and funding initiatives to provide enhanced Broadband to rural and remote areas (closing 30 June 2008).

When all required network information has been released to proponents, the Commonwealth Government will announce the final closing date for National Broadband Network proposals. Proponents will have 12 weeks to consider the network information

The Queensland Government Chief Information Office (QGCIO) prepared and facilitated in consultation with key stakeholder agencies, submissions to the Australian Government on (b) (PDF, 99 kB) and (c) (PDF, 1.42 MB) above.

Submissions were approved by the Premier and forwarded by the QGCIO to the Commonwealth Government on 25 June 2008.

On the 7 August 2008, the Commonwealth Government released final instruments setting out the network information that carriers are to provide for the National Broadband Network process, and the rules to safeguard the information.