A newly leaked document shows NBN Co has trialled a new, low-cost fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology, Fairfax Media has reported.The trial reveals the potential for FTTP at a reduced construction price, Fairfax reports. The new leak comes as debate continues over the NBN’s multi-technology mix rollout.
NBN Co last year launched its fibre-to-the-node technology, part of its multi-technology mix, stating it expected a simpler installation process compared to other technologies such as FTTP would see it able to activate end users “much faster than on other broadband technologies”.
A separate internal progress report had also been obtained by Fairfax earlier in the week, with Fairfax reporting that, by the company’s own assessment, the project has fallen two-thirds short of its benchmark construction timetable, while connection costs to each house and business are also rising.
NBN Co subsequently hit back at the report, rejecting “claims that the company is at risk of not meeting its targets”.
According to the newly leaked document, NBN Co has successfully trialled a new type-3 system or MT-LFN (multi-technology local fibre network), Fairfax reported, with the trial suggesting potentially significant savings, with a fall in the construction cost per-premises from the current price of just over $1,200 to just above $600.
A media release issued by Shadow Minister for Communications Jason Clare describes it as “an extraordinarily damaging leak”.
“It shows that Malcolm Turnbull has been lying about how much it costs to connect to Labor’s superior fibre NBN,” the release states. “It proves the only reason that Malcolm Turnbull is not connecting millions more Australians to the real NBN is politics.”
Fairfax reported Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield as stating that it is “outrageous for Labor to suggest the NBN has been misrepresenting” the FTTP cost.
“Any claims this is a secret plan are nonsense,” Fairfax reported Fifield as stating.
“NBN actually announced that it has been trialling a possible solution using fibre to the pit in the footpath at its half-year results presentation earlier this month. The government has given NBN a mandate to find the fastest and most cost-effective way to complete the network.”