Internet Australia chief Laurie Patton is unimpressed with the latest rollout forecasts for the National Broadband Network and says the predicted disruption caused by rollout works in metro areas of major cities could be avoided if the “inferior” copper FttN network is abandoned in favour of a more fibre-based network.
Patton describes as a “pyrrhic victory” Tuesday’s announcement by NBN Co chief Bill Morrow that almost 50% of the network rollout would be completed by the end of June, as work steps up in high-density metro areas of major cities.
Morrow said there would be some disruption where access to pits and existing infrastructure in metro areas became more difficult.
“This may mean disruption from civil works, visible for the first time in cities.
{loadposition peter}“We understand there will be some disruption for residents and business owners as the 14,000 people working across NBN, and our delivery partners, complete the task as soon as possible.”
NBN Co has set a target of a total footprint of 5.4 million homes and businesses to be connected to the NBN by 30 June.
But, according to Patton, the FTTN copper network is outdated and, as Internet Australia has pointed out, even if NBN Co completes the rollout on schedule this will be a “pyrrhic victory”.
"The sad thing is that much of the disruption Mr Morrow is talking about would be avoided if they immediately abandoned the rollout of their inferior copper wire FttN network.
“FttN requires electrical power to the nodes (the cabinets they are being placed on our footpaths)
"These nodes will be redundant and will have to be pulled out when the government inevitably bites the bullet and moves to fibre to the driveway, or fibre to the distribution point (FttDP).
"Our highly qualified technical experts believe that the copper wires network will need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years or sooner. On current modelling around a third of the NBN, perhaps more, will need to be replaced - meaning more disruption in times to come."
But, as the NBN chief said on Tuesday about the disruption in metro areas, “The payoff will be worth it, with universal connectivity delivering health, commerce, education and lifestyle benefits to all Australians.”
To date more than 70% of the NBN rollout has been in regional and rural areas, as Morrow said, this year will see more construction commence in metropolitan areas along with continued work right across the country.
“Midway through the year, half the NBN network will be completed. This will be a significant turning point as we aim to finish the build by 2020 and become the first fully-connected continent in the world."