Work to build Australia’s first FTTC network begins

nbn has commenced the first stages of building its world-leading Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) access technology, which is set to benefit more than one million homes and businesses across the nation by 2020. 

Designed to bring faster speeds closer to your doorstep, the technology will provide access to services over nbn™ network by delivering fibre straight to the driveway of your home.

The company is the first broadband wholesaler in the world to roll the FTTC technology out on a mass scale and today marked the beginning of a trial in Coburg outside of Melbourne. The trial is designed to evaluate the construction and installation of its deployment ahead of the nationwide build that will commence in the coming months.

nbn is also working with retailer customers to develop a FTTC product, which is scheduled to be available to consumers and businesses by mid-2018. 

nbn’s Chief Network Engineering Officer, Peter Ryan said:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that nbn is a world-leader in adopting new and innovative technologies to deliver fast broadband to Australians.

“We will be focusing our efforts in the next few months on ensuring we understand how to scale the FTTC network rollout across the country and also working with our retail customers to trial the product in preparation for its launch next year.

“By the time the rollout is complete in 2020, there will be more than one million homes and businesses across the country who will be able to enjoy the benefits of fast broadband by connecting to the nbn™ network using the FTTC technology through their retailer.

“Our decision to roll this technology out at scale means there is a small number of homes and businesses which will have a revised timeline on when they will be able to connect to the nbn™ network. We encourage all Australians to check their address on our website to get the most up-to-date information, find out what technology we are using to build the network as well as how to get the best experience out of their internet connection.”

The nbn™ network is currently available to almost one in two Australians, is scheduled to be three quarters built by mid-next year and complete by 2020.

Visit our nbn™ blog series to learn more about the FTTC technology and how the nbn™ network is using world-leading technologies to deliver fast broadband to Australians.

Key regions where nbn expects to commence construction to build the FTTC network between June-December 2017:

Notes to editors: 

• The exact number of premises and the regions covered by the FTTC technology may vary once nbn has finalised its construction planning.
• The anticipated technology to be deployed in communities may change depending on a number of factors once the construction planning stage has been finalised. Some areas may be serviced by multiple technologies.

About nbn:

• nbn is building a new and upgraded, fast wholesale broadband network to enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband from their Retail Service Provider. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• The rollout of the nbn™ access network sets the scene for the biggest transformation to Australia’s telecommunications industry involving Retail Service Provider network upgrades and the establishment of a network of networks to bring fast broadband to all Australians.
• Connecting to the nbn™ network is not automatic and is a process which may take some time and preparation. nbn is working with the service providers and industry to help them better understand who is responsible for which portions of their internet experience and what steps they can take in order to receive the best possible service.
• The speeds experienced on services over the nbn™ network are determined by a range of factors such as the technology used to deliver the network as well as some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans, signal reception and how your service provider designs their network.
• Fast broadband like that delivered via the nbn™ network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.