NBN Co selects equipment and services leader to deploy country’s largest optical data transmission infrastructure..
The company set-up by the Australian government to build and operate the country’s new, nationwide, high-speed National Broadband Network, NBN Co Ltd, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide its extensive optical transmission network. Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy its optical network (DWDM) technology to allow NBN Co Ltd to provide nationwide, super-fast broadband. An optical transmission network is the ‘backbone’ of communications infrastructure, providing massive bandwidth to carry huge amounts of information around cities, and across countries and continents. The potential value of the contract is up to AU$400 million over ten years.
Australia’s NBN network is planned to provide broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) initially and 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) in the future to nearly 93% of Australian homes, schools and workplaces.
“Nokia Siemens Networks is a high-quality global and local supplier of equipment and services. Their proven track record in Australia, utilizing local expertise combined with global capability, is a sound starting point in the future of our partnership,” said Kevin Brown, head of Corporate Services, NBN Co Ltd.
“NBN Co wants to build a super-fast broadband network to cater to the current and future network traffic demands,” said Kalevi Kostiainen, head of Australia and New Zealand, Nokia Siemens Networks. “We are committed to providing the best combination of a world-class optical transmission with local expertise that will provide advanced digital services to the entire nation.”
Under the scope of the frame agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will supply its DWDM equipment and management systems. The company will also provide related services including design, logistics, installation, commissioning, local pre-deployment system testing and care.
NBN Co’s transmission network requires connectivity at 10, 40 and 100 Gbps. The network building stage of the project will span for ten years with the bulk of the optical transmission network being rolled out in the first three years.