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"This is a major step forward in the Government's comprehensive plan to provide Australians with higher speed broadband services," Senator Conroy said.

"The National Broadband Network is part of the Rudd Governments plan to drive investment in critical infrastructure and ensure that Australia takes advantage of the many opportunities presented by the digital economy."

Senator Conroy announced also today that the last of the network information requested from carriers is available to National Broadband Network proponents.

Accordingly, proponents now have 12 weeks to consider the network information before lodging their proposals.

"It has always been the Government's position that the provision of appropriate network information to proponents is vital for the success of the National Broadband Network process and that this should be done as soon as possible," Senator Conroy said.

"Requested network information has now all been received from contributing carriers, reviewed for compliance with the Government's request and is now available to all proponents", he concluded.

The Government issued its Request for Proposals for the National Broadband Network back in April, with the closing time being amended to account for time taken by the Government to necessarily work with carriers to ensure that proponents have access to information about existing networks and time to consider it.