NBN Co prepares first copper disconnects

By James Hutchinson – [Australia] The network operator plans to begin a public information campaign in the selected areas — some of the first to get NBN fiber connections as part of the roll out — as it counts down 18 months until most copper services in fiber-connected areas are switched off.

A total of 25,000 premises are expected to be affected by the move, which was a part of the $9 billion agreement between Telstra and NBN Co.

The 18-month timeframe also includes exceptions for business-grade copper services like ISDN and frame-relay, which will be disconnected after three years instead, according to NBN Co’s head of product management and industry relations, Jim Hassell. more> http://tinyurl.com/8v2lpdh

Related articles

• NBN Co prepares to switch off copper network (zdnet.com)
• NBN to save up to AU$700m in copper maintenance costs (zdnet.com)
• NBN adopts opt-out installation model (theage.com.au)
• Telstra dash for $2bn NBN bonus (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• NBN Co returns to “build-drop” for fiber rollout (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• Fixed telco line crisis looming: Turnbull (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• NBN Co passes FOI scrutiny (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)

NBN Hits A Wall

By Oonagh Reidy – [Australia] Construction woes hit NBN as contractors are said to be no longer interested in working on the project.

That’s according to AFR, who report major contractors Silcar and Transfield are to pull out of the next round of contracts for National Broadband Network, worth $1.6 bn in total, citing delays that have plagued the project rollout. more> http://tinyurl.com/8858sod

Related articles

• NBN Co’s faulty economics (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• Govt to pay ISPs for NBN voice migration (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• What Happened With The NBN This Week? (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• No NBN fate but what NBN Co makes (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• NBN builders say they haven’t pulled plug, Adam Bender, Computerworld
• Contractors Deny NBN Quit, Oonagh Reidy, Smarthouse

NBN Co’s faulty economics

By Malcolm Turnbull – [Australia] This latest back down should finally put to bed NBN Co CEO Michael Quigley’s claims that a government-run communications monopoly will somehow be friendlier and more civic-minded than private sector firms.

According to Mr Quigley, the National Broadband Network serves a higher purpose than simply maximizing financial returns. Yet the aggressive nature of the SAU terms that NBN Co has asked the ACCC to rubber stamp is virtually without precedent, as noted by business journalist John Durie:

“One member comments the amount of discretion being sought by NBN boss Mike Quigley would make even the Telstra of old blush.” more> http://tinyurl.com/7kgygld

Related articles

• No NBN fate but what NBN Co makes (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• Govt to pay ISPs for NBN voice migration (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• NBN to alter access terms to telcos (bigpondnews.com)
• No one will buy an incomplete NBN: Quigley (news.theage.com.au)
• Turnbull tells NBN Co’s CEO he should back down, Stephanie McDonald, Computerworld
• External concern has implications for NBN Co, Lucy Battersby, smh.com.au

Reports on demise of Telstra greatly exaggerated

By Ian Verrender  – [Australia] Telstra’s management has struck a clever deal, one that largely insulates the company from any change of plan to the NBN rollout.

The $11 billion deal is comprised of three main payments. The first is $5 billion for a 30-year lease over Telstra’s fixed-line infrastructure. Thanks to some clever negotiations by Telstra’s Tony Warren, the company receives that money even if the network is not built.

The second component is $4 billion, which it only receives as it switches customers over to the NBN. But again, there is a clever clause that protects the company. Customers who want to maintain their old service will continue to pay Telstra for the privilege.

The final component is $2 billion for providing the Universal Service Obligation so as to ensure telephones at a fair price for all Australians. Prior to the deal, Telstra was forced to fund that as part of its monopoly obligations. more> http://is.gd/fx6QmZ

Related articles

• Telstra jobs could go in move to NBN (abc.net.au)
• Telstra says it could work with Libs NBN FTTN policy (go.theregister.com)
• Telstra’s ‘Connected Home’ Is A Pre-NBN Push (gizmodo.com.au)

What Happened With The NBN This Week?

By Alex Kidman – [Australia]

• The NBN rollout will require staff for construction and maintenance, but fibre splicing might be your best bet for some steady NBN work if you’re keen. [Lifehacker]
• iiNet will become the first service provider to offer all three types of NBN connectivity — fibre, satellite and wireless — when it kicks off its wireless service next month. [ITWire]
• Speaking of fixed wireless, services have commenced flowing from NBN Co’s first fixed wireless tower in Armidale, with Internode being the first retail provider. [ITWire]
• NBN Co’s started an aggressive advertising push, paying for radio time on Sydney’s 2GB, home to a number of NBN critics. They read the paid advertisements — but not without adding their own editorial spin beforehand. [Delimiter]

more> http://is.gd/qHXhkU

Related articles

• No NBN fate but what NBN Co makes (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• Two years until NBN hits peak roll-out (zdnet.com.au)
• NBN Co’s 30-year pricing plan unacceptable: operators, telecomasia.net