Comms Alliance sets out NBN definition plans - but will the Government listen?

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 15 July 2009 12:32

IT Industry - Strategy

Communications Alliance has formally kicked off its work programme to define in detail how the National Broadband Network might operate, but it has no guarantee how much of its output the Government will take on board as it progresses with its own NBN implementation plans.

The Comms Alliance programme was launched at its second series of NBN Industry Connection Forums held in Sydney on 8 July and in Melbourne on 15 July.

Comms Alliance started work on the NBN shortly after the Government's April 7 announcement. It commissioned a discussion paper from Gary McLaren and held two workshops in Sydney and Melbourne in early May to "bring the industry together to kick-start its response to the Government's proposed regulatory reforms to facilitate the NBN rollout."

These were followed by a second discussion paper from McLaren and the two latest workshops. As a result of these Comms Alliance has formally launched its NBN works programme covering seven key areas which were identified during the first series of forums: the NBN reference model; wholesale services; early stage deployments; end user premises; technical; operational; and end user migration.

The NBN reference model, wholesale services and early stage deployments were identified as having the highest priority and work is expected to be finalised before the end of 2009. Outcomes of the remaining work areas will be delivered by mid-2010. The first meeting of the NBN reference model project team was held following the Melbourne Forum today, 15 July.

Comms Alliance CEO, Anne Hurley said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape an entirely new communications network and essentially build a new market. Whilst there are many questions yet to be answered, the industry has made the decision to take a proactive approach to the NBN and will collaborate to develop industry views on how the NBN should operate, the services it should offer, and many of the technical details that will be critical to its successful operation."

CONTINUED