It’s time to zoom in and take a closer look at the some of the technology being used in the construction of the National Broadband Network. In order to understand the differences between the various types of cables and connections used in the multi-technology rollout, we get into the nitty gritty of how they work and what role they will […]
Telecommunications
Fixed wireless NBN services gain momentum
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Features, News, Telecommunications 0NBN Co. has announced that the number of premises covered by the National Broadband Network’s fixed wireless service has risen nearly fourfold over the past 12 months to include 106,000 homes, farms and businesses. The figure includes 20,000 premises in rural and regional areas across the country where the NBN is newly available, including Humpty Doo, Northern Territory and parts […]
NBN deal sees rollout fast-tracked for Gympie (QLD)
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Telecommunications 0Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss has announced that Gympie (QLD) has been fast-tracked for broadband upgrades thanks to a joint venture between NBN Co and Telstra. Gympie will be the first part of the Wide Bay electorate to be connected to the Fibre to the Node (FTTN) Broadband system. “The FTTN technology to be […]
Tender: fibre installation
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Open tenders and opportunities, Telecommunications 0TransGrid (ACT) is currently seeking suitably qualified contractors for the installation of communication fibre in Canberra. The works are inclusive of all works necessary for the design, supply, transport and construction including all civil and cabling works required in this specification. Any works required to ensure that the new infrastructure is serviceable to the satisfaction of the Principal shall also be […]
Thousand node NBN trial confirmed
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Features, Land access, News, Telecommunications 0NBN Co have struck a $150M deal with Telstra for the planning, design and construction of a thousand node pilot across Queensland and New South Wales. The announcement comes ahead of the anticipated large scale integration of Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) technology into the National Broadband Network (NBN). FTTN marries fibre optic cables with Telstra’s copper lines in a streetside node cabinet […]
NBN rollout picks up pace
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Land access, News, Projects, Telecommunications 0The NBN rollout has recently picked up momentum around the country with an additional 44,709 homes and businesses in 26 regions connected to the network. The latest construction maps show the National Broadband Network (NBN) will be rolled out using fibre and fixed wireless technologies across parts of the following regions and communities: NSW: Greater Sydney Central Coast Mid-North Coast […]
Changes to NBN rollout map implemented
Utility Journalist Maintenance, News, Stakeholder Engagement, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has updated its interactive map to provide more information about the progress of the NBN rollout. The interactive rollout map on the NBN Co website now displays the communities in the fixed-line footprint where “Build Preparation” is taking place. These areas are shaded green on the map. They signify that contractors in built-up (or brownfields) areas are carrying […]
Thousand-node NBN trial awaits Telstra negotiations
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Telecommunications 0In a recent interview with reporter Sarah Ferguson on the ABC’s 7.30, Malcolm Turnbull has revealed plans for a large fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) trial involving the connection of a thousand premises to the NBN. While the government is still in negotiations with Telstra for access to its copper network, Turnbull said that the discussions were “proceeding very well”. Turnbull then went […]
Tender: communications infrastructure
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Open tenders and opportunities, Telecommunications 0Toowoomba Regional Council (QLD) is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors for a register of preferred suppliers for communications infrastructure cabling services. Submissions close: 2:00PM Brisbane time, Tuesday the 1st of July, 2014. For further information or application details see the tender webpage.
B&R Enclosures has been recognised as a leading supply partner servicing the Australian telecommunications market after taking out the coveted 2014 NBN Co Chairman’s Award for Supplier Excellence and Innovation. This prestigious award was awarded to B&R recognising the company for its outstanding business conduct, world class design innovation, engineering excellence, supply reliability and consistent high quality. Greg Adcock, NBN […]
NBN Co chief executive Bill Morrow has announced the appointment of Stephen Rue to the position of chief financial officer. Prior to joining the company, Mr Rue spent 17 years in leadership roles at News Corp Australia including a decade as chief financial officer. Mr Morrow said, “Stephen is a well-credentialed senior finance executive who has managed a business through […]
Service Stream to continue NBN delivery
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Contracts awarded, News, Telecommunications 0NBN Co. has renewed its contract with Service Stream for the design and construction of the fibre network to Greenfield new developments housing estates. The renewal is effective for two years, with two one-year extension options. In addition to the existing locations under the contract of New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, Service Stream may […]
Visionstream receives NBN contract extension
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Contracts awarded, News, Telecommunications 0Visionstream Australia has been awarded a two year contract extension estimated at $90 million to its long-term engagement in the design and construction of fibre optic networks for new development estates across Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. Visionstream has successfully delivered the new developments program for NBN Co for the past two years and will continue the program, for another two […]
First copper disconnected as NBN transition begins
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Land access, News, Telecommunications 0The NBN’s first copper countdown is complete as 19,000 premises located in fifteen pioneering communities across Australia have been disconnected from existing landline phones, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet services to complete the transition to the NBN. The copper switch-off officially began on 23 May 2014 and included homes and offices located in the following areas: Armidale, Minnamurra and […]
NBN enhancements announced
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Policy, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has officially unveiled the next series of enhancements to the National Broadband Network to enable telcos to offer businesses access to multiline high-definition video conferencing and collaboration and help them make the most of fast and reliable broadband. NBN Co’s Medium Business Services is the latest of a number of enhancements specifically for businesses and has been designed […]
Balance of NBN funding to come from private sector
Utility Journalist News, Policy, Telecommunications 0Federal Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull has announced that while the Federal Budget provides $20.9 billion in equity funding to NBN Co over the period 2014–15 to 2017–18, the Government’s investment is capped at $29.5 billion, and when the equity contributions cease the balance of the project must be funded by the private sector. The $20.9 billion comes in addition […]
NBN appoints new corporate affairs executive manager
Utility Journalist Company news, News, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has announced the appointment of Karina Keisler to the role of Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs. Ms Keisler joins the company with more than a decade’s experience in telecommunications media relations, most recently with Vodafone Australia where she was brought in as General Manager Corporate Affairs in 2012 to restore the reputation of Australia’s number three telco. NBN […]
The race to the basement: how FTTB technology could change the face of the NBN
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Features, Telecommunications 0By Michelle Goldsmith The NBN rollout, currently Australia’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure project, brings with it an array of different challenges and opportunities. Since the change of government and subsequent revised NBN rollout plan, these include the testing of alternative connection technologies, such as fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) and fibre-to-the-node (FTTN), and the possibility of infrastructure based competition between NBN Co. […]
NBN Co details infrastructure competition strategy
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Telecommunications 0In a recent hearing with the Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network, NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow and COO Greg Adcock have revealed details about NBN Co’s plans for infrastructure-based competition with TPG, who is expanding its own fibre network. They confirmed that NBN Co intends to begin the race to connect apartment buildings by using fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) […]
NBN Fixed Wireless and Satellite Review reveals findings
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Land access, News, Telecommunications 0The newly released Fixed Wireless and Satellite Review has revealed a number of important findings, including an unanticipated level of demand for broadband services outside the fixed-line footprint. Some of the main findings and recommendations put forward by the review include: Demand outside fixed-line footprint up to three times greater than originally anticipated Near doubling of fixed-wireless footprint can serve […]
Mid-tier NBN contractor steps up to fulfil larger role
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Company news, Contracts awarded, News, Telecommunications 0According to reports, WBHO Civil, a WA based civil construction company, has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to continue the NBN rollout in the Geraldton, WA. The West Australian reported that this was “a first for WA for a mid-tier contractor to engage directly with NBN Co and fill a Tier 1 spot”. The contract means that WBHO Civil […]
NZ fibre network signs new retail provider
Utility Journalist Land access, News, Retail, Telecommunications 0UnisonFibre has confirmed the signing of an agreement with Telecom New Zealand that will support the growing use of fibre for education and business benefits across the Hawkes Bay, Rotorua and Taupo regions. Telecom will ultimately leverage UnisonFibre to deliver the powerful fibre network services businesses need to thrive in today’s digital world. UnisonFibre General Manager, Mike McGarvey said the […]
NBN Co releases third quarter results
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Company news, News, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has released its unaudited third quarter results. The company says that it is tracking well towards its end of financial year rollout targets as it prepares to transition to a revised network rollout. NBN Co’s unaudited third quarter accounts revealed: The company recorded an operating loss of $1.117 billion after generating revenue of $69.8 million in the nine […]
The first in-premises test by NBN Co of fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) technology has delivered raw download speeds of 105 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 45 Mbps. The technology trial was conducted recently by NBN Co engineers in Umina, near Woy Woy, on the NSW Central Coast. Engineers installed a VDSL modem in a shopfront and then connected the […]
NBN Co has announced that it will bring forward its rollout of wholesale very fast broadband to apartments and office buildings in Australia’s inner cities, in a commercial response to emerging infrastructure competition for high-value customers from vertically integrated telecommunications carriers. Preparations are underway to deploy the National Broadband Network to inner city residential and commercial complexes in parallel with […]
Surveying the broadband superhighway at road speeds
Utility Journalist Features, Mapping & GIS, Projects, Telecommunications, Utility location 0By Anthony Emmerson, Operations Manager – Infrastructure, Taylors The Taylors NBN journey started in July 2010. The NBN project was in its infancy. A trial rollout had begun in Tasmania and the project was gaining some media coverage, however the coverage was largely political and few in the mainstream business community had started to turn their heads in the NBN […]
NBN mixed technology rollout ordered
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Features, News, Projects, Telecommunications 0While it awaits the report from the NBN cost-benefit analysis and review of regulation, the Federal Government has released a new Statement of Expectations to NBN Co, outlining its plans for a multi-technology rollout. Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann issued the new statement (which can be viewed here) to NBN Co Chairman Ziggy Switkowski on […]
NZ fibre network provider announces new retail partner
Utility Journalist Company news, News, Retail, Telecommunications 0UnisonFibre, NZ has announced the signing of a retail agreement with telecommunications provider, Snap, which will offer customers a new option for fibre services to their business. UnisonFibre General Manager, Mike McGarvey said the partnership would offer Hawke’s Bay, Taupo, and Rotorua customers a competitively priced option for ultra-fast business broadband and phone packages. “We’re very excited to announce our […]
New NBN Co boss orders executive reshuffle
Utility Journalist Company news, News, Telecommunications 0New NBN Co CEO, Bill Morrow, has begun his role with a reshuffle of the company’s senior executives. According to an internal email leaked to the press Chief Financial Officer, Robin Payne, Chief Technology Officer, Gary McLaren and Head of Corporate and Commercial, Kevin Brown, will be leaving the company. The three executives will stay on for a period to […]
Solar station to power NBN satellite station
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Electricity, News, Sustainability, Telecommunications 0Reports have surfaced that the Bourke Shire Council, located in the north-west of NSW, has given approval to NBN Co to construct a solar power station to help power its satellite ground station at Bourke. The ABC reported that Bourke Mayor, Andrew Lewis said the construction of the almost 2,000 square metre solar farm, consisting of 18 photovoltaic solar panels, […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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