NBN Co confirms roll-out strategy
NBN Co has released a set of guidelines to indicate how it intends to implement the Multi-Technology Model (MTM) adopted by the company in line with federal government policy.
In a statement released on 13 November, NBN Co indicates that most households and businesses:
- already served by the Optus or Telstra Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable networks, will receive fast broadband over an upgraded HFC network;
- where the NBN fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network has been deployed or is in advanced stages of being built, will remain part of the FTTP rollout; and,
- where the NBN fixed wireless or satellite networks are earmarked for deployment, will remain part of the Fixed Wireless or Satellite rollout.
All other communities are likely to receive fast broadband over fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) and, in the case of multi-dwelling units such as apartment blocks, fibre-to-the-basement (FTTB).
NBN Co says it is also developing a fibre-on-demand product aimed primarily at businesses customers.
Implementation of the MTM approach depends, of course, on finalisation of agreements with both Optus and Telstra.
And there remains the question of the degree to which Telstra copper will be fit for purpose. Coalition policy involved FTTP deployment in areas where the cost of copper remediation made fibre the more economic choice. The extent to which this will be the case will only be known as the network is actually rolled out.
