National Broadband Network

Overview

The Rudd Government announced in April 2009 it will establish a new company that will invest up to $43 billion over eight years to build and operate a National Broadband Network delivering superfast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces.

NBN Project

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 (NBN).

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 (with more information available via the hyperlinks to the NBN wiki):

Additional information on the NBN project is in a presentation given to stakeholders:
CA NBN Project briefing Dec09 (.pdf, 2249KB)

National Broadband Network

Overview of Technical Standards

(Draft Overview of Technical Standards, .pdf, 347 KB)

The draft Overview of Technical Standards identifies local and international standards and industry documents that can assist in the design and rollout of the NBN and its delivery of Layer 2 wholesale services.

The paper also covers technical issues including:

  • The relevance of the ongoing work of key standards bodies to the NBN (including Broadband Forum, Metro-Ethernet Forum, and the ITU-T);
  • The characteristics of competing access technologies (EPON and GPON); and
  • Standards that will assist the NBN to support IPv6 and be secure, robust, environmentally sustainable and future-proof.
Note: All submissions will be made publicly available on the Communications Alliance website and shared with project team members.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES AT 5.00 P.M. (AEDT) ON FRIDAY 12 MARCH 2010

National Broadband Network End User Premises

End User Premises Installation, Distribution, Testing and Associated Practice Handbook

(Draft NBN End User Premises Handbook, .pdf, 520 KB)

The draft Handbook provides installation practices and guidelines for the installation and operation of the NBN at customers’ homes, businesses and other service sites.  The draft Handbook details key information and issues and is intended provide a common reference point for further discussions among the communications industry, construction industry, NBN infrastructure providers, government and regulators.

Note: All submissions will be made publicly available on the Communications Alliance website and shared with project team members.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED AT 5.00 P.M. (AEDT) ON FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2010

NBN Reference Architecture - High Level Options for the NBN

Release 1, January 2010

National Broadband Network Reference Architecture -  High Level Architecture Options for the NBN (.pdf, 887 KB)

The NBN Reference Architecture -  High Level Architecture Options for the NBN defines:

  • The end-to-end broadband network architecture framework.
  • A range of potential passive and active NBN wholesale interconnect scenarios.
  • The relationship between the customer equipment (such as Optical Network Terminations and Residential Gateways) and Retail and Wholesale Service Providers.

NBN Wholesale Service Definition Framework - Ethernet

Release 1, December 2009

National Broadband Network Wholesale Service Definition Framework - Ethernet (.pdf, 2318 KB)

The NBN Wholesale Service Definition Framework - Ethernet provides a description of the key capabilities to be specified in the NBN service definition for the following service types:

  • Ethernet Line Access Service (ELAS);
  • Ethernet Line Backhaul Service (ELBS); and
  • Ethernet Multicast Service (EMCS).

NBN Project - Registration of interest

Communications Alliance invites member organisations who wish to participate in the NBN project as outlined in
NBN Industry Connection Discussion Paper No. 2 Tackling the NBN questions – Proposed way forward for industry
to register at the
NBN Project Team registration webpage.

Full read and write access to the NBN Wiki is provided to registered Communications Alliance members only. This access allows members to contribute to the NBN project work on an ongoing basis.

Non-member organisations who have an interest in the NBN and meet the eligibility requirements for Communications Alliance membership can register as observers directly on the NBN Wiki. Simply click on ‘Log in’ in the top right hand corner and then click ‘request one’ to register for access.  Observers have read-only access to the NBN Wiki and are able to comment on the content.

Communications Alliance Documents

Key Dates

Submissions are due:

Submissions were due:

  • NBN Co consultation paper: proposed wholesale fibre bitstream products - 12 February 2010
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Fibre Deployment) Bill - 22 January 2010
  • NBN Co: industry capability statements - 21 December 2009
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009 - 07 October 2009
  • Views sought on legislative framework for National Broadband Network - 5.00pm AEST, 30 July 2009
  • Discussion Paper 2: Tackling the NBN Questions - Proposed Way Forward for Industry 22 June 2009
  • Fibre in greenfield estates stakeholder consultation paper (registration required) - 5:00pm AEST, 12 June 2009
  • Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband - 5.00pm AEST, 03 June 2009
  • Backhaul Blackspots Initiative Stakeholder Consultation - 3.00pm AEST, 12 May 2009
  • RFP - 3.00pm AEST, July 25 2008
  • Regulatory Issues - 3.00pm AEST 25 June 2008
  • Remote areas - 5.00pm AEST 30 June 2008

NBN Milestones Calendar

Click here to see the full NBN Milestones calendar.

 Year Month Comms Alliance Government NBN Co
 2010 March Draft Overview of Technical Standards comment period closes 12 March 2010 National Broadband Network Company Legislation and Access Regime - Submissions on the draft legislation to nbnlegislation@dbcde.gov.au due 15 March, 2010 NBN Co Access Undertaking – anticipated to be lodged with ACCC

NBN Co: Request for Capability Statement: Business and Operational Support Systems and Services due 15 March 2010