NOTE: More information on related Communications Alliance activity, including discussion papers, is available from the National Broadband Network webpage.

The Government’s Discussion Paper ‘National Broadband Network: Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband’ signals legislative reforms to facilitate the rollout of the NBN. It is critical the industry grasps this opportunity to ensure the NBN delivers the capabilities, services and outcomes required to drive innovation, efficiency and an enhanced lifestyle for Australia.

Comms Alliance is taking a lead role in preparing for multi-lateral consultation on the identified topics through an early and ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders. We have appointed leading telecommunications professional Gary McLaren to assist in the role of facilitating and shaping the new NBN industry environment and we invite you to join us at the first of our ‘NBN Industry Connection’ forums.

These forums will focus on Chapter 2 of the Discussion Paper – ‘Regulatory environment for the National Broadband Network and the rollout of fibre’ (and not the transitional arrangements in Chapters 3 and 4). They have been planned to kick-start the industry focus on the NBN and to build on work undertaken by industry members over the past five years to prepare for migration to the NBN.

The first NBN Industry Connection will be a dialogue with stakeholders on:

  • how to best develop and facilitate input of the industry position on topics identified in the Government’s Discussion Paper;
  • how the industry can help answer the big questions, such as
    - what are the roles and responsibilities of the new NBN company in relation to retail service providers?
    - what types of wholesale services should the NBN company provide?
    - what are the technical and operational requirements for these services?
    - what are the system and IT interfaces required to support these services?
    - what is the framework for supplying and supporting customer premises equipment (CPE)?
  • how the industry should engage with and support the Government’s announcements to
    - use the Tasmanian FTTP deployments as trials for the new NBN company
    - mandate optic-fibre in greenfield estates receiving planning approval from 1 July 2010

Who should attend?
Representatives from carriers, CSPs, ISPs, applications providers, content service providers, equipment suppliers, and tiers of Governments.

When:
When: 
 Tuesday 19 May 2009, 09:30am to 12:30pm - Sydney
Wednesday 20 May 2009, 09:30am to 12:30pm - Melbourne
Where: Venues to be advised
Cost: No charge for Communications Alliance Members, $150+GST for Non-members – however, pre-registration is essential