 FTTB utilises existing infrastructure to connect to the NBN, linking fibre-optic cable to building wiring, with NBN Co stating it is already in the process of rolling out the technology to 6,000 homes and businesses in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
NBN Co chief customer officer John Simon stated FTTB demonstrates “that existing infrastructure has a critical role to play” in delivery of the NBN. “Eliminating the need for individual building designs and in-building wiring cuts down on construction time,” Simon stated. “Removing the need to install new equipment in the home accelerates the ability of people to connect.” In preparation for the technology’s launch, Telstra and NBN Co have been running FTTB trials in inner Melbourne, with Telstra today advising the pilot has clocked up more than 10,000 testing hours with 30 Telstra customers participating across multiple sites. Paul Boasman, Telstra director multi-technology mix, stated they have been pleased with the consistency of performance. “Customers involved in our Melbourne pilot have been provided with the fastest speed plan available and are experiencing trial speeds averaging over 80 Mbps download and over 30 Mbps upload, with customers experiencing speeds up to 98 Mbps downstream under trial conditions,” Boasman stated. NBN Co’s fibre-to-the-node technology is slated to launch in the 2015 third quarter. |
