What is the National Broadband Network?
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is the wholesale data network being construction by NBN Co. The network will use a combination of fibre to the premises (FTTP), Fixed Wireless Broadband and Satellite Broadband technologies to provide connections up to one gigabit per second to premises in Australia.
The term NBN is also loosely used to describe the ‘new world’ high speed internet which is made up of a web of many interconnected networks which is continuously evolving. The NBN delivered by NBN Co. will provide one network which forms part of the larger ‘web’. Additional network providers include national Point of Interconnect (POI) carriers, retail service providers and international network carriers will also play a part in the final package.
National Broadband Information Pack (7.33mb)
A Guide for Consumers - A project prepared by the Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) (548kb)
Who is NBN Co.?
www.nbnco.com.au/index.html
NBN Co was created on 9 August 2009 as a wholly-owned Commonwealth company that has been prescribed as a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) and is represented by "Shareholder Ministers” being the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Minister of Finance and Deregulation.
NBN Co’s goal is to deliver Australia's first national wholesale-only, open access broadband network to all Australians, regardless of where they live.
NBN Co. intends to achieve this goal by;
- Designing and installing the NBN
- Connecting 93% of homes, schools and workplaces in Australia with optical fibre (FTTP)
- Connecting 7% of homes, schools and workplaces in Australia with Fixed Wireless Broadband and Satellite Broadband
- NBN Co will wholesale its network to retail service providers (RSP), who will then sell Internet access and other services to consumers (eg. telephone).
The network is estimated to cost $35.9 billion over its 10 year construction, including an Australian Government investment of $27.5 billion.
Benefits of the NBN
The Australian Government has prepared several videos to demonstrate the benefit the NBN will offer Australians.
Coverage of the NBN
NBN National Coverage Map
Tweed Shire Coverage Map (152kb)
NSW State Coverage Map
QLD State Coverage Map
Telecommunications, NBN and New Developments
NBN Co. in New Developments
www.nbnco.com.au/getting-connected/new-developments.html
From 1 January 2011, NBN Co is responsible for the installation of fibre at the development stage for all premises in NBN Co’s fibre footprint in:
- NBN Co will install fibre into new developments of 100 premises (dwellings/units) or more, released over a three year period, which have received approval for civil works after the commencement date, within the NBN fibre footprint
- Developers will be responsible for designing and installing pit and pipe infrastructure to NBN Co's Pit and Pipe Installation Guidelines and then transferring ownership of pit and pipe to NBN Co. under a developer agreement. NBN Co. will then install fibre infrastructure and back haul to the new development
- Home and land owners will be responsible for the provision of fibre to the premises from the NBN and any rewiring of the premises. NBN Co. is currently offering to connect any premises free if whilst NBN is being installed within the area
- NBN Co requires at least three months notice from developers when requesting new fibre infrastructure to ensure NBN Co can deliver fibre infrastructure in line with developer timelines
- If Developers provide their own fibre service and it meets the NBN specifications and complies with open access specifications they may be offered lead in access to the NBN. Alternatively, NBN may offer to purchase the infrastructure outright.
It is the responsibility of Developers to lodge an application with NBN Co. for them to install fibre in new estates.
NBN Developer Guidelines
Below is a list of resources to assist developers to comply with NBN requirements;
Role of Telstra in New Developments
www.telstra.com.au/smart-community/developers/index.htm
Telstra will be responsible for delivering infrastructure and services, pending NBN Co. rollout, for;
- Developments of less than 100 premises
- Developments which received planning approval before 1 January 2011
Telstra will generally provide copper infrastructure that is capable of being ready for fibre substitution in the future. They may choose to provide high quality wireless services as an alternative.
Like other fibre providers, Telstra will also be able to enter into commercial arrangements with NBN Co relating to fibre solutions.
Role of Council in New Developments
Planning NSW has established a set of guidelines which will assist developers in determining the level of approval required by proposed telecommunications facilities.
www.planning.nsw.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=dC4Bz58T1zg%3D&tabid=460&language=en-AU
Note: these guidelines need to be considered in conjunction with the following information;
Highlights of Council’s Promotion of Broadband Development
1. National Digital Economy Strategy
www.nbn.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/National_Digital_Economy_Strategy.pdf
A bold National vision...
‘By 2020 Australia will be among the worlds leading digital economies’
The National Digital Economy Strategy’s eight goals aim to:
- increase Australian households’ online participation
- increase Australian business’ and not-for-profit organisations’ online engagement
- smartly manage our environment
- improve health and aged care
- expand online education
- increase teleworking
- improved online government service delivery and engagement
- increase digital engagement in regional Australia
2. Digital Sydney
www.digitalsydney.com
“Digital Sydney is an industry community that provides a space for digital media professionals, digital agencies, technology companies and educational institutions to collaborate on projects, showcase their work and to network with other digital media and ICT specialists. Digital Sydney is all about expanding the digital marketplace to provide and support employment and encourage investment, participation and collaboration within Sydney and NSW’s broad digital ecosystem.
Digital Sydney promotes Sydney & NSW as Australia’s digital capital. It states “Our digital ecosystem embraces Regional NSW from Byron Bay to Broken Hill …. Being digital, you don’t need to be in Sydney to be part of Digital Sydney.” It’s about enabling and supporting activities within the digital realm in order to create and sustain jobs. It promotes investment in and uptake of emerging digital technology.
The community is guided by a network of experienced digital media industry professionals and funded by the NSW Office of Trade, Business & Industry.”
3. Tweed Telecommunications Infrastructure Action Plan
Telecommunications Infrastructure Action Plan (9.00mb)
A snapshot of actions identified in the Plan
- Prepare policies within Council that support the development of communications precincts.
- Establish regulatory controls on property developers.
- Establish policies to develop fibre optic infrastructure to connect Council’s branch offices as part of its own consumption requirements.
- Establish policies to facilitate telecommunications ducting (pits and pipes) to be included in all future capital works programs.
- Establish policies to make available volumetric spare capacity of Council own ducting for use by other parties on commercial terms.
- Lobby the Federal Government to impose regulatory controls on Telstra to make available its last mile pits and pipes for use by other telecommunications service providers including lead-in cables.
- Lobby both State and Federal Governments.
- Prepare a register of Council facilities that Service Providers can access for use to house telecommunications equipment.
- Work with ACMA to educate property developers and planners on building cabling standards such as the Digital Building Guideline www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_569.