Singapore – G9, a SingTel-led group of companies is to bid to build a high-speed broadband network in Australia. G9 will comprise SingTel’s Australian operation Optus, PowerTel, Macquarie Telecom Group, Soul, ii-Net and New Zealand Telecom Corp’s AAPT unit. Broadband is reportedly a hot topic in the run-up to Australia’s national elections, amid criticism that the country’s broadband speeds currently lag behind other nations.