NBN Co now looking for satellite providers
- 19 January, 2010 14:29
- Comments 3
NBN Co is seeking satellite network operators for the NBN
NBN Co is looking to satellite network operators to provide capability statements for the satellite service requirements of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
In a statement, NBN Co executive chairman Mike Quigley described the call for information as an "an important milestone in the progress of the project, particularly for the provision of high-speed broadband services to rural and regional Australia".
The company said it is open to hearing from both individual companies and those prepared to work in partnerships. After evaluation NBN Co will then select five to 10 suppliers to join a request for proposal process.
The request for capability statement will be available from 5pm today (Tuesday 19th January) from the company's website: www.nbnco.com.au.
At the end of last week, NBN Co announced it received many “high-quality” responses to its request for capability statements for the supply of infrastructure.
In a statement, the NBN Co said it is working through the statements for the supply of fibre-to-the-premises-related equipment and services, the first in a series addressing different elements.
The company expects a short-list to be finalised by the end of the month.
In early January, it was revealed that NBN Co appointed Goldman Sachs as an advisor for its negotiations with Telstra (ASX:TLS).
In December, Telstra, the Federal Government and NBN Co made a joint announcement that the two companies had agreed to Terms of Engagement in their discussions on the NBN with negotiations to continue.
Telstra also said it will upgrade its network to fibre in the Melbourne suburb of Point Cook as a trial and provide resultant data to NBN Co.
The Federal Government is now also looking for an independent advisor to assist with any commercial agreement NBN Co reaches and has opened a tender process.
And yesterday, industry group, the Communications Alliance, said it is hoping to assist end users — both consumers and businesses — through its draft National Broadband Network End User Premises Installation, Distribution, Testing and Associated Practice Handbook.
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Comments
BackofBeyond
In some places in regional and rural Australia the only option will be satellite. But satellite is now and remains a solution of last resort. There is talk about the next generation of satellites being better than what bush has had to work with but there are inherent problems with satellite, like latency. And deploying next generation satellite systems to the bush, were maintenance and support for any systems have always been a challenge to all service provider, just sets up bush users for an underwhelming solution that many will struggle with. Finally, wireless is capable of 42 Mbit/s but NBN is asking that satellite provide 12 Mbit/s for the remaining 10%. Yes, let's have more public discussion on this because satellite as put forward as the ONLY solution for the bush, is a very limited solution.
Jman
looks like they have made up thier mind already on this... I agree satellite is a great way to serve the bush, but its a damn expensive option that will only last 10 or 12 years approx before Satellite reaches end of life (costing billions in that lifetime). And they will need to buy 2 spacecraft also, one for redundancy... that doesnt leave much room for profit for such a small population. Seems to me that this is being provisioned more for big business and not for the public...
satcrazy
BUt there are ways in which satellite could be economical. If bulk satellite bandwidth is purchased from a single satellite operator in a bulk discount until the life of the satellite. secondly, a NBN grade CPE will have to be released in the market as an outcome of the current NBN capability statement submission process which will allow economy of scale to put down the price of CPE. besides there is no harm to get two next generation satellites in the name of Australia. All develoepd countries have them and if additional bandwidth is left unused the Australia could sell BW to other countries, departmentof defence and also to broadcasting companies. Satellite bandwidth is alwasy in demand and never left unused for long.
the key is identifying the correct number of households that are going to be covered in the last 10% and how does NBN split the coverage in that last 10% between satellite and wireless solutions. Remember, wireless spectrum is unavailable especially in the 700 MHz range and so LTE and other wireless solutions are hard to justify. Satellite has 'Ubiquitous' coverage. Also leasing transponder throughout the life of NBN will be an expensive option and so a satellite build model is more prefereable rather than a satellite lease model ( of course for a large number of households).
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