"I will be seeking state and territory agreement to the blueprint at the next meeting of the Online and Communications Council in September," she said.

Telstra product development group managing director, Holly Kramer, said there was an inherent contradiction in advocating competition and then telling competitors to come together and work in a consortium.

"Consortiums are made up of self-interest groups and subsequent conflict ... What is gained from such a plan will be a lowest common denominator solution that stifles innovation and competition," she said.

"While I understand the government's desire to have a national solution, there are major risks in a government deciding which technology is the best to deliver that solution."

Kramer told ATUG delegates that the focus of Connect Australia should be on providing sustainable, next-generation broadband in areas where there is otherwise no economic incentive to do so.