Finally the mainstream media has started asking questions about the OPEL $1billion travesty. At last some light may be shed on the opaque process that led to such a gross waste of public money.

So far the long suffering taxpayers, and the rural people dudded by the program, have gone without any real information about how so much money was misdirected away from needy rural communities and into a deficient technology solution.

As an article in The Australian (www.theaustralian.com.au) points out, nearly four months after OPEL was awarded the money, there are still embarrassing “details” not finalised, including the proposed technology.

Optus and Elders say the major contracts between them have been signed but some details are still being negotiated.

According to Elders general telecommunications manager Jason Horley, these details include the spectrum to be used for the WiMax wireless technology, the equipment itself, the exact placement and approvals of hundreds of new base stations, the location of the Opel headquarters and the identity of its chief executive.

The article also indicated that the governance structure for OPEL is subject to a power struggle between Optus and Elders. OPEL is meant to be a wholesale company providing access to a range of other service providers – as well as Elders and Optus – so the transparency of these arrangements is also vital for access seekers.

Another issue pointed out by CommsDay is that OPEL doesn’t yet have a license to operate as a carrier. The register for carrier licenses maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) (www.acma.gov.au) updated as of October 10, has no OPEL.

More minor detail.