NBN details “likely” FTTDP suburbs
450,000 premises across the nation likely to switch from pay TV cables to fibre.
The question of what kind of National Broadband Network (NBN) technology will roll out in different areas has been contentious ever since the switch to the Coalition government’s "multi-technology model" for the ambitious nationwide broadband rollout.
It was confirmed last year that many areas connected to Optus' pay TV cable network, which is now owned by NBN, would not be using that network, but would instead utilise the newer fibre-to-the-distribution-point (FTTDP) model. As ITNews notes, during senate estimates hearings, NBN CEO Bill Morrow had previously stated that selected areas within the Optus HFC footprint area would "likely" switch to FTTdp technology. NBN Co has now detailed the suburbs deemed likely to make the switch.
As a technology, FTTDP sits between the full FTTP (fibre to the premises) rollout that was the initial plan for most NBN connections and the cheaper-but-slower FTTN (fibre to the node) deployment now earmarked to make up a large proportion of the total rollout.
FTTDP uses a fibre connection to the junction box outside each premises, relying only on the copper running from there to the actual premises. This cuts down the quantity of copper in the end loop, meaning that achievable speeds on FTTDP connections can be much closer to those of FTTP. It also has a much simpler and less expensive upgrade path than FTTN, given that much more of the initial fibre is already laid in place.
NBN has earmarked a total of 42 areas likely to be served by FTTDP. While it’s not a guarantee, because NBN Co recently dropped expected technology solutions from its NBN rollout maps, it’s a strong signal that it expects to roll out the technology to those areas.
There are 21 areas in NSW, 18 in Victoria, and 3 in Queensland covering 450,000 premises. Here’s the list of expected areas by state:
| NBN FTTDP | |
|---|---|
| NSW | Botany |
| Burwood | |
| Como | |
| Cronulla | |
| Dural | |
| Edensor Park | |
| Frenchs Forest | |
| Guildford | |
| Homebush | |
| Hornsby | |
| Hunters Hill | |
| Kogarah | |
| Miranda | |
| Mona Vale | |
| Orchard Hill | |
| Peakhurst | |
| Ramsgate | |
| Revesby | |
| Rockdale | |
| Silverwater | |
| Springwood | |
| Victoria | Altona |
| Coburg | |
| Chelsea | |
| Dandenong | |
| Epping | |
| Fawkner | |
| Frankston | |
| Footscray | |
| Heidelberg | |
| Lilydale | |
| Laverton | |
| Mount Eliza | |
| Montrose | |
| North Essendon | |
| Newport | |
| Richmond | |
| Seafort | |
| Thomastown | |
| Queensland | Bundamba |
| Brassall | |
| Ipswich |
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