Pipes to premises: Comms Alliance calls for comment

The Communications Alliance has called for comment on three draft studies covering the roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) to end user premises and greenfield estates.

A draft handbook released by the group details the equipment to be used in end user premises, and is designed to provide a common architecture and language between the industry and government.

Freshly minted Communication Alliance CEO John Stanton said the drafts are an “important step” in making the NBN clearer for industry.

“It is vital that we all work from a single blueprint, to enable the many involved parties to coordinate their activities and produce the most efficient and beneficial outcome for users of next-generation communications services right across Australia,” Stanton said in a written statement.

“The handbook has been warmly welcomed by those industries with an interest in the end-user environment.”

It builds on the first draft release of the handbook in March and now covers:

1. wireless and satellite access in addition to fixed access network technologies, point-to-multipoint Passive Optical
2. Network and point-to-point Active Ethernet;
3. New sections on distribution and installation practices; and
4. Guidance on testing and service diagnostic arrangements.

It has been released along with a draft paper covering the installation of main conduits and interconnections between carriers, which are used in backhaul and to link network buildings, fibre distribution hubs, and cross connect facilities. The group also released a draft paper outlining further issues with distribution networks.

It follows the release of a draft technical paper on the passive fibre infrastructure behind the NBN. It was developed by several working groups under the alliance and is pitched as a reference of “common understanding” for fibre networks. According to that research, the NBN’s coverage can be boosted by reducing the number of optical splitters that provide network access to homes and businesses, and through the use of cutting edge laser optoelectonics, optical amplifiers and repeaters.

Public comment closes 5pm, 21 May. The papaers are available here.