Do we need to spend 43 billion dollars on a broadband network? The Gillard government is promising 'affordable, high speed broadband to all Australians, no matter where they live'. It's their promise to break the digital divide between city and bush 'once and for all.' Independent member for New England, Tony Windsor cast his lot with Labor on the basis of their national broadband scheme. Malcolm Turnbull, shadow Minister for Communications is spearheading the attack on the proposal for the Opposition. He describes it as a 'massive leap into the dark' where 'no cost benefit analysis has been done.' The big ask from the critics is - why is it so expensive and can the government logistically deliver this roll-out? So along with these criticisms this INSIGHT will examine and debate whether we should toss out the existing telecommunications network, just how enthusiastic the takeup will be in homes and what impact this high speed network will have on the delivery of health and education services.