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NBN Reaches Australian Mainland: New Tenders to be Issued

9 Feb 2010

NBN Co is “on track” to commence rolling out the Federal Government’s national broadband network to selected areas on the Australian mainland later this year.

The company is currently in the process of finalising its selection of “first release sites” across the country. These areas are being shortlisted on the basis of providing a comprehensive snapshot of the challenges the NBN Co may face nationwide.

Work is expected to start "early in the second half of the year," NBN Co's executive chairman Mike Quigley told the Senate Select Committee.

"We need to understand the different locations and be prepared to use different construction techniques," Mr Quigley said.

The selection process involves "getting down and designing exactly where things go".

Locations are expected to range from suburban areas to rural towns, with a mix of detached houses, semi-detached houses and multi-dwelling units.

The location tests are expected to determine issues such as the cost difference between deploying fibre underground and overground, or having terminations inside or outside of homes.

"This testing will provide critical information about the practical applications of our designs," Mr Quigley said.

NBN Co will soon release a request for tender, aimed at companies able to participate in this “detail design phase.

A further tender issue will be released for the next construction phase.

Find out how you can take advantage of Australia’s largest infrastructure project at CeBIT’s NBN Conference.

Learn about how the NBN will enhance your communications abilities at the CeBIT Communications expo.
 

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