In June 2007 the Federal Government announced it would give $958 million to OPEL Networks, a joint venture between Singtel Optus and Elders, to provide broadband services in regional Australia.

The exact detail of where OPEL services will be available has not yet been revealed, however, information provided in media releases and Government websites clearly shows that when (or if it is) built the OPEL network will largely duplicate what is already being offered by other providers.

The duplication takes a number of forms:

• The provision of OPEL ADSL 2+ in exchanges where other providers are already offering ADSL 2+;
• The provision of Optus ADSL 2+ (under the OPEL banner) in exchanges where other providers are already offering ADSL 2+
• The overbuild of existing broadband coverage, some of which was provided through the assistance of previous Government funding programs (another form of duplication) with the OPEL WiMAX network;

The extent of the duplication, which is outlined in the following tables, is clearly at odds with the intended aim of the Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program, which was to extend broadband access to areas that do not currently have it.

It is important to note the following tables do not include detail of where the OPEL WiMAX network duplicates the wireless broadband coverage of the Telstra Next G™ network, as without knowing the technology, spectrum and base station locations that OPEL will use, a comparative analysis of coverage is impossible.

However, based on what OPEL has stated, it is possible to compare broad network facts (see below) and come to the conclusion that the Next G™ network largely, if not entirely, already provides wireless broadband coverage in the areas where the OPEL WiMAX network will be available once built. It is also worth noting that the Minister has repeatedly stated that the OPEL network will extend broadband coverage in Australia to 99% of the population and Telstra’s Next G™ mobile broadband network already provides coverage to 98.9% of the population.

• TABLE 1: Comparison of OPEL WiMAX network to the Telstra Next G™ network

The information contained in the following tables is based on maps available on DCITA’s website, media releases and other publicly available information relating to anticipated coverage of the yet to be built OPEL network. This information is indicative only and is subject to change.

• TABLE 2: Exchanges to receive ADSL 2+ from OPEL that are already known to have ADSL 2+ as at 9/10/2007 (PDF - 26KB)
   
• TABLE 3: Exchanges that Optus has enabled with ADSL 2+ and the Minister has launched under the OPEL banner, which already have ADSL 2+
  It is believed that a very large percentage of these Optus ADSL2+ enablements are in exchanges that already have ADSL2+. (PDF - 17KB)
   
• TABLE 4: OPEL WiMAX locations that are already known to receive ADSL (PDF - 34KB)
   
• TABLE 5: OPEL WiMAX areas that already known to receive wireless broadband (not including Next G™ network coverage) in the vicinity (PDF - 21KB)