Australia needs a proper independent study on the merits of the two National Broadband Network plans that will be taken to election, say the editors of The Register, a London-based technology news website with more than seven million monthly readers (210,000 in Australia).

“It’s obvious that Australia needs more reliable and more widespread broadband,” says The Register Asia Pacific editor Simon Sharwood.

“But debate about how to get there, and if we are going about it the right way, is in the doldrums. Neither side of politics has a plan that is underpinned by recent review of bedrock issues on what Australia actually needs. The debate has gone political and feral.”

The Register’s response is to offer Australians a chance to fund a study on three bedrock issues about the NBN, namely:

· What broadband speed does Australia need for the expected 20-30 year life of the NBN?

· What’s the best technology to deliver that service over that timeframe?

· What will be the entrepreneurial response to a wired Australia?

Anyone can contribute money to support the study, which is being funded through crowdfunding platform pozible.com. The campaign which was soft-launched in late June has already attracted over $6,500 from a range of supporters.

The Register has asked two leading research and consultancy firms – IBRS and Market Clarity – to put forward proposals for the study. Simon says those proposals outline approaches that are rigorous and complex.

The study will be staged based on funding levels achieved. If the project wins $100,000 funding, it will be possible to conduct a study into the first question. At $170,000 it will be possible to look into the first two, and $250,000 will allow a complete study into all three questions.

“We know these are big sums,” Simon says. “But these will be very comprehensive studies. Excellent consultants cost money. We don’t want this to be a quick and dirty exercise because that’s not how we operate, it’s not how these firms operate and it’s not what Australia deserves.”

The Register’s aim is to complete the studies before the September 14 election, in the hope they help voters make better decisions.

“With at least $29bn in spending planned, an informed electorate is essential,” Simon says. “By going the crowdsourcing route we are hoping to accomplish two important things: raise awareness and deliver some solid truths about the future of the internet in Australia.”