Conroy backs off on plans to mandate FTTH in greenfield sites

Stuart Corner
Friday, 14 August 2009 15:36

IT Industry - Strategy

Communications minister Stephen Conroy has announced the formation of a stakeholder reference group to advise on fibre-to-the-premises broadband rollouts in greenfields property estates. Curiously his announcement makes no mention of his plans to mandate FTTH rollouts in greenfields by mid 2010, and the related page on the DBCDE web site has been amended to remove any reference to such a plan.

Announcing the group, Conroy said: "The provision of fibre-to-the-premises in greenfield estates is an important component of the Rudd Government's vision for 21st century broadband. The Government wants to ensure that our latest property developments have future-proof broadband technology and avoid costly future retro-fits. Forward-thinking property developers are already moving to provide Fibre-to-the-Premises and research shows this is adding value to homes. The Stakeholder Reference Group will be an invaluable resource, allowing for continued consultation and assistance in tackling the challenges to deliver better broadband."

However when he announced the $43b NBN plan on April 7, Conroy was unequivocal about mandating FTTH in greenfields, He said: "To turn its vision [for the NBN] into action the Government will immediately...Progress legislative changes that will govern the national broadband network company and facilitate the rollout of fibre networks, including requiring greenfields developments to use FTTP technology from 1 July 2010."

On 29 May he issued a consultation paper on the proposal, and was equally unequivocal on the importance of, and the government's determination to, have all greenfield developments equipped with FTTP.

A web page was created the consultation paper was issued. On 9 August it was unchanged from 29 May and said: "As part of its National Broadband Network initiative, the Government has announced that the use of fibre optic technology will be required in greenfield estates. Given the superior properties of fibre optic networks, it would be counter‑productive to have homes built in new developments with the latest building technology but connected by antiquated copper wires. Greenfield estates across Australia will therefore be required to use fibre optic infrastructure to the home and workplace."

However this page was updated on 13 August and now says: "Given the superior properties of fibre optic networks, it would be counter productive to have homes built in new developments with the latest building technology but connected by antiquated copper wires. It therefore makes sense that greenfield estates across Australia have fibre optic infrastructure to prepare them for the future." iTWire has sought comment from the minister's office on this change of policy and will update this article as soon as it is available.

Conroy said the Stakeholder Reference Group would have a wide range of participants including representatives from all levels of government, telecommunications carriers, the property development industry and consumer organisations. Letters seeking nominations for membership will be sent to relevant organisations in the near future.