http://www.uq.edu.au/mia/calls-for-papers *Broadband Futures: Content, Connectivity and Control* *A special issue of Media International Australia* *Theme Editors: Matthew Allen, Catherine Middleton, Sora Park and Peter Thompson* *(deadline for short abstract 21 November)* Australia and New Zealand are deploying very fast national broadband infrastructure, utilising a more centralised, government-driven approach than previously. Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) and New Zealand’s Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative (UFB), combined with the Rural Broadband Initiative, are major infrastructure projects that promise to revolutionise underlying telecommunications infrastructure while reshaping the policy environment. Such developments are a response to the patchwork quilt of multiple technologies, business models and regulatory settings that, until recently, had only partially served internet development. They will create a national future that is more competitive, more connected, and more coherent in its application of high-speed computer-mediated communications. Both network initiatives have been promoted heavily by their respective governments but also criticised by opposition political parties. Given the timeframe of these network developments, ongoing activity will necessarily be affected by changes to governments. However the fundamental rationale and design of these ‘next generation’ networks is remaking the way the internet is used, understood and interacts with other telecommunications and entertainment media. At the same time, these new networks will need to developed and adapted, or be relevant now but not in the future. This issue of MIA will present research, analysis and critique of the current state of very large network infrastructure development relevant to Australia and New Zealand, including comparative examples from other nations. We invite submissions from researchers, industry analysts and participants, and government regulators and policy-makers, to create a conversation about the future of broadband. We particularly seek articles that explore the relationships between content (what is done via such networks), the control that is exerted over content, and the processes of connectivity that are the potential outcome of such developments. Our goal is to present various perspectives on the intersection of these three domains (what users want and do; how access is provided and sold; and the work of corporations and governments managing the intersection of these two), and thus better understand how broadband development might achieve the national economic and social advantages claimed for it. Submissions will be assessed for their scholarly merit and the extent to which they contribute to our greater understanding of the consequences and purposes of broadband development, especially in Australia and New Zealand. Contributors should limit their articles to between 3500 and 4000 words (including references). *Abstracts (250 words) are due by 21 NOVEMBER 2013.* *Full articles (**5000 words maximum) **will need to be submitted by 7 FEBRUARY 2014.* -- Professor Matthew Allen, internet critic, researcher and educator http://netcrit.net; @netcrit; life member AoIR <http://aoir.org>