• When will you start the first release?

We have issued a request for proposals seeking suitably qualified companies to develop the location-specific detailed designs. Later we will issue an RFP for construction. We expect that actual work on sites will commence early in the second half of the year.

• How long will the rollout take?

Following the design phase, the rollout is in three phases – installation of the passive network, then the active components followed by work with retail service providers who are responsible for providing end-user services. Work will start early in the second half of the year with the first two construction phases due for completion early next year.

• How many premises are in each trial site?

The maximum premises will be around 3000 per location, but less in the smaller settlements selected. In Willunga we plan to roll out to the whole town, but this is estimated at a maximum of approximately 1000 premises.

• Why are the first release sites limited to around 3000 premises?

Approximately 3000 to 3200 premises forms a fibre serving area module which is the basic building block in our fibre access network. This fundamental design will be replicated throughout the country. However, the first release will allow us to test the variations needed to our construction techniques and the differences in cost for different locations.

• What were the selection criteria?

The sites were selected by our network design and engineering teams in order to provide us with the diversity needed to test against a range of different variables. We started with the requirement to validate our reference design in a range of areas with different housing density, housing type, geography, climate and local infrastructure.

• Will you be digging up streets and people's gardens as part of this work?

It may be necessary to dig in some circumstances. However, we will be looking at a range of less disruptive rollout options such as using existing ducts where possible, or overhead power poles.

• When will end users have services?

NBN Co is a wholesale service provider. We anticipate completing stage two of the construction work by early 2011. We will then need to work closely with the retail service providers whose role it is to provide end-user services based on the wholesale access we provide. NBN Co is not offering services directly to end users.

• What types of services will end users have?

We will be providing up to 100Mbps to retail service providers. The products and service offerings they make available will be a matter for the RSPs and the market.