The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a national wholesale-only, open-access data network under development in Australia. Fibre broadband connections are sold to retail service providers (RSP), who then sell Internet access and other services to consumers. The NBN was subject to political and industry debate for a number of years, before construction actually commenced.
The network is estimated to cost A$37.4 billion to construct over a 10-year period, including an Australian Government investment of A$30.4 billion. The build cost has been a key point of debate. NBN Co, a government-owned corporation, was established to design, build and operate the NBN, and construction began with a trial rollout in Tasmania in July 2010.
The fibre to the premises (FTTP) rollout is planned to reach approximately 93 percent of premises in Australia by June 2021. As of September 2012, construction of the network has commenced and 24,000 customer services are active. The network will gradually replace the copper network which is owned by Telstra and currently used for most telephony and data services. As part of an agreement with NBN Co, Telstra will move its customers to the NBN, and lease access to its exchange space and extensive network ducting to assist in the rollout. A similar agreement with Optus is in place.
Read more about National Broadband Network: Expected Cost, Retail Offers, See Also
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