The project aims to build on issues identified in the recently completed Tallaganda Economic Development Plan and will take into account the growth in the local telecommuting industry that is taking place as people relocate to the shire because of its location and the rural lifestyle.

The specialist will be required to review the various telecommunication networks available, and potentially available, to businesses and residents in the region. These include:- Southern Phone Company - proposing the establishment of a community-owned telecommunication enterprise to service 27 local government areas and estimated to substantially reduce long distance telecommunication costs and to commence operations in mid 2002. Nextgen Networks - proposing the establishment of Braidwood as an interconnection point on an $850 million fibre optic cable running from Brisbane to Perth offering connection of 155 Mbps and higher.

Comindico - providing integrated data and voice telephony services, facilitating value added content and applications and providing seamless, local call access to its network from anywhere in Australia at capacities ranging from 34 Mbps to 310 Mbps. This firm is a partner with the firm developing Tallaganda Shire Council’s community portal and on-line services.

Telstra’s ADSL Network - using the region’s existing telecommunications infrastructure to offer connections of up to 1.5 Mbps downstream and 256 kbps upstream within a distance of 3km from ADSL enabled exchanges.

Rural Link - using satellite and wireless links to deliver telecommunications services to smaller NSW towns.

The specialist will then be required to match the needs with the best potential service provider(s). Where a demonstrated need exists, and that need is unlikely to be met by potential telecommunication service providers, it is intended that further funding will be sought from the Networking the Nation and other relevant programs, to obtain a solution that meets those needs.