"If we took that approach to our roads, we would just turn every road into a 20-line highway," he told a government law and media conference.
"We also need to consider the size, type and performance of the vehicles that run on it, the upstream congestion and whether passing lanes and traffic control systems ought to be considered."
Nairn says it's not possible to look at broadband in isolation - the equipment, security and nature of content running on internet systems also need to be addressed, as well as a "sustainable funding" model.
"One of the dimensions we need to look at is the legal framework that governs the behaviour of users," he says. "This is hard as the internet is a global phenomenon that doesn't respect borders."
The internet has also given rise to "all imaginable human behaviours" and is essentially a crime-ridden neighbourhood.
Nairn says Australian laws need to be adapted to cater for the internet, particularly in relation to e-business and e-government environments.
"Some of the crimes are quite familiar - fraud, robbery, libel - and the fact the internet is involved is a challenge, but it doesn't change the fundamental nature and intent of the crimes," he says.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Karen Dearne
Quelle/Source: Australian IT, 17.04.2007