NBN’s FTTDP technology rolling out in 2018
Trials for the cable network replacement begin this year.
Firstly, a quick refresher. Part of the plan for building the National Broadband Network (NBN) more quickly was to acquire the pay TV cable networks (HFC if you're being precise) built by Telstra and Optus back in the 1990s. Unfortunately, the Optus network turned out not to be largely fit-for-purpose, being too slow and too poorly maintained. So many of the premises that were going to get the NBN via that cable network will instead be getting fibre-to-the-distribution point (FTTDP), which has been thoughtlessly labelled fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) by nbn, the company building the NBN. (Here's a much more detailed account of the machinations and linguistic disasters involved.)
We've known this since last year. Now we have a more precise timetable for when FTTDP will be rolling out. A trial will begin in Coburg North in Melbourne in the second half of this year, with commercial services to follow in the first half of 2018. By that time, nbn is predicting that 100,000 premises will be able to connect to the service.
Eventually, FTTDP will hit at least 700,000 homes. Here's the nbn-supplied list of suburbs where FTTDP will have a presence in Sydney and Melbourne. (Note that this doesn't mean every house in the area will use FTTDP; it all depends on where you live).
| Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | Burnside |
| Botany | Brooklyn |
| Caringbah South | Caroline Springs |
| Cronulla | Coburg North |
| Denham Court | Collingwood |
| Erskineville | Cremorne |
| Gladesville | Richmond |
| Horningsea Park | Derrimut |
| Hunters Hill | Frankston |
| Lugano | Williamstown |
| Mona Vale | |
| Peakhurst | |
| Revesby | |
| Tennyson Point | |
| Woolooware | |
| Woronora Heights |
Given the choice of rubbish HFC and FTTDP, the latter is clearly the better option. The biggest risk for nbn is that having to grapple with brand-new technology will make it harder to meet its deadline of 2020 for completing construction. Right now the prediction is that the network will be 50% complete by the middle of this year.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears Monday through Friday on finder.com.au.
Latest news headlines
- 5 perks you can score by upgrading your internet this year
- Aussies are struggling to save money, and Gen Z blame themselves
- Waiting for rates to fall? Don’t bank on it, says ANZ CEO
- Finder’s Cost of Living Pressure Gauge: Australians under extreme stress
- Growing your business into 2024 with a Platinum Experience
Picture: Shutterstock
