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)

Telstra dash for $2bn NBN bonus

By John McDuling and Tony Boyd – [Australia] Telstra chief executive David Thodey is planning to spend $100 million to accelerate construction of a key aspect of the national broadband network and unlock a $2 billion windfall for shareholders.

Telstra is planning to do everything it can to bring forward as much NBN revenue as possible given the risk of a change in government next year.

The bulk of the $500 million in capital spending will go towards mobile upgrades, amid an explosion in demand for Telstra’s services, driven by rising uptake of smartphones and tablet devices. more> http://tinyurl.com/94rhlqy

Related articles

• NBN Co returns to “build-drop” for fiber rollout (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• Telstra shares hit four year high (news.theage.com.au)
• Telstra reinvests AU$1.2bn in network (zdnet.com)
• Telstra profit upwardly mobile (abc.net.au)
• Telstra results and NBN costs: the analysis (zdnet.com)
• Telstra Earnings Miss Estimates Amid Mobiles Push – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
• Locking in the NBN (go.theregister.com)
• Big states challenge NBN’s opt-out provision, David Ramli, Financial Review
• Hartsuyker: NBN costs spiraling, Daily Examiner
• Telstra boosts NBN, mobile investments, James Hutchinson, CRN
• Preview of NBN, Lachlan Thompson, Daily Examiner

NBN Co returns to “build-drop” for fiber rollout

English: Diagram of the National Broadband Network, based on the network design details given in the NBN Co’s Corporate Plan 2011–2013
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Geoff Long – [Australia] NBN Co will move back to a model where it connects fiber to every house or apartment at the same time as it rolls fiber down the street – the so-called “build drop” method of customer connections. However, unlike in the past, it will not seek permission from every household before bringing fiber to the building – customers will have to specifically opt-out if they don’t want the fiber.

“One of the things that we have had to take into account of the additional costs of executing all this is a much greater level of communication with the general public,” NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said, adding that the company anticipated that most households would see that the connection is not costing them anything and would be welcomed. more> http://tinyurl.com/cqzjyv6

Related articles

• NBN is value for money, minister says (bigpondnews.com)
• Latest NBN plan on solid footing (bigpondnews.com)
• NBN Co’s faulty economics (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• NBN price tag rises in new NBNCo new corporate plan (go.theregister.com)
• Despite delays and blowouts, NBN remains broadly on track (crikey.com.au)
• Delays lift NBN construction costs (news.smh.com.au)
• Govt to pay ISPs for NBN voice migration (theneteconomy.wordpress.com)
• $3b rise in bill to bring households up to speed (smh.com.au)
• $3b rise in bill to bring households up to speed (theage.com.au)

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

Govt to pay ISPs for NBN voice migration

English: Diagram of the fixed wireless and satellite network design for the NBN, based on the information available in NBN Co’s business plan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Josh Taylor – [Australia] Under the $11 billion dollar deal NBN Co struck with Telstra, Telstra’s copper network will be decommissioned in NBN-connected areas, once those areas have been classed as “ready for service”. This happens once NBN Co has passed 90 per cent of premises in that area.

In satellite and fixed-wireless areas, the copper will be maintained by Telstra for phone services, but in fibre areas, even if customers are only seeking a voice service and not broadband, they will be required to migrate onto the NBN.

Voice customers will have just over two years between the ready-for-service date and when their voice service on the copper network is completely disconnected. more> http://tinyurl.com/6t2hyf8

Related articles

• No one will buy an incomplete NBN: Quigley (news.theage.com.au)