Australian National Broadband Network Study Released
Earlier this month the Australian government released the National Broadband Network Implementation Study, prepared by McKinsey and KPMG.
According to the study, the government’s objectives for the NBN can be implemented within the A$43 billion estimate of capital expenditure by deploying fiber to 93 percent, fixed-wireless to 94-97% and satellite to 3% of the premises.
The network should be deployed efficiently by setting practical coverage objectives, being willing to make use of existing infrastructure, providing appropriate legislative support and leveraging the capabilities of commercial wireless operators.
Retail competition should be improved through mandating a wholesale-only, open-access role for NBN Co Limited – the designated party for the roll-out of the Australian NGN – and by ensuring NBN Co eliminates network bottlenecks and operates at the lowest appropriate layer in the OSI stack.
The fiber access network should be expected to become the predominant fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure over time by pricing for affordability and take-up and providing continuity for existing services.
Full government ownership should be maintained until after the roll-out is complete requiring temporary peak funding in the vicinity of A$26 billion by year 6 – which can be paid down quickly from then with investment-grade debt prior to privatization.
Future competition and innovation potential should be safeguarded by preferring a network design that preserves options for active-layer competition and shifts in technology, and by ensuring a healthy industry structure and appropriate regulatory regime are in place prior to privatization.
The Australian government currently is considering the study and its recommendations.
Meanwhile, the Communications Alliance set up its NBN Project to assist the communications industry address requirements arising from the Government’s policy on the National Broadband Network.
Back in 2006, the Australian communications industry founded the alliance to provide a unified voice for the industry and to lead it into the next generation of converging networks, technologies and services.
After initial industry forums in May and July 2009, seven different projects were identified to cover the various issues that need to be addressed.
The initial work and focus is on developing an NBN Reference Model that seeks to identify the roles and responsibilities of NBN Co and service providers in the NBN framework as well as identifying key principles related to end users, services and interconnection of networks.
The NBN Reference Model provides the framework which informs and contributes to the other projects areas which cover specific aspects of the NBN.
The seven work areas address specific topics that will require detailed work to identify standards, guidelines and processes for the delivery of wholesale and retail services in the NBN environment. They are identified in the NBN wiki.
Additional information on the NBN project can be found in a presentation given to stakeholders.
For relevant documents on the NBN see the Australian Senate web site.
For a quick overview of the McKinsey-KPMG study, see the executive summary.
NBN Co recently hosted a series of information sessions. The slides from these events are available here.
Source: Atug
