MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino Administration is now pushing for a new broadband project that will link government agencies nationwide.

In an ambush interview on Monday morning, President Benigno Aquino said there is a need for a government broadband network, emphasizing there will be no similarities to the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp. udner the Arroyo administration.

"The (Department of Science and Technology) DOST is (doing an) inventory presently on what we do have as the basis for the broadband network. Now, if there is need to engage the telcos, which was my position, they are already ready as far as a broadband is concerned," Aquino said.

Last week, ABS-CBN News reported the DOST is pushing for the establishment of a government broadband network or GBN. A government broadband network is needed to integrate and address data processing, storage, computing and high-speed connectivity needs of government agencies.

The new broadband project has drawn comparisons with the NBN-ZTE deal that was one of the biggest controversies during the Arroyo administration. There were accusations of corruption that prompted President Gloria Arroyo to cancel the $329-million contract with Chinese telecommunications company.

However, Aquino says they will not commit the same mistake as the previous administration.

 "Nag-report ang DOST kung gaano kamali iyong ZTE na project at kung gaano ka-obsolete by the time it would have been set up," he said.

"Reviving something similar to the ZTE, no way. Pero utilizing what we do already have to make the leads and that is currently being assessed and the plan is being drawn up by DOST," said the President.

In a 36-page proposal submitted to Malacañang, the DOST claimed that the government would save on Internet costs if it had its own broadband network. The DOST placed the set-up cost at P800 million.