NBN Co calls for design feedback

NBN Co has called for responses from industry on its proposed design for fibre, wireless and satellite implementations for the National Broadband Network (NBN) across Australia.

The NBN footprint map (Credit: NBN Co)

With parts of the fibre network already live in Tasmania and beginning to be rolled out in Townsville, NBN Co stated it has "already consulted widely on the fibre product, both in industry forums and in an estimated 150 hours of bilateral discussions". NBN Co has called for "additional feedback" on the fibre proposal, but has said the release of the proposals for the company's wireless and satellite services is intended as the "starting point for discussion" with NBN stakeholders.

Wireless product overview (Credit: NBN Co)

The NBN Co Wireless Access Service is designed to reach 4 of the 7 per cent of the population that won't be covered by NBN Co's fibre-to-the-home services. Unlike the 1Gbps speeds promised by NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley to fibre customers last week, the company has determined that residents in the wireless coverage area will receive a modest 12Mbps speed, in line with the speeds promised by the Coalition in its broadband policy.

The document states that the wireless technology intended to be used will be "4th Generation", indicating that Long-Term Evolution or WiMax-like technologies will be employed.

Satellite product overview (Credit: NBN Co)

While the NBN Co Satellite Access Service will reach 3 per cent of the population, those not covered by fibre or wireless, and makes up the largest geographical coverage in Australia. NBN Co has set the minimum speed for the service at 12Mbps "with a development and migration path to higher speed services".

NBN Co is seeking formal response submissions from industry on the proposals outlined in the documents with submissions due by 2 September.