NECA Appointed to NBN Stakeholder Reference Panel

November 2009 After replying to a number of consultation papers released by the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), NECA was invited by Minister Stephen Conroy to participate in a Fibre in Greenfield Development Stakeholder Reference Panel. Over the past three months, NECA's Communications Technology Advisory Group (CTAG) has attended the first three Stakeholder Reference Panel meetings and a presentation by Communications Alliance (CA) and NBN Co. along with several meetings with individuals and organisations across the broader spectrum of our industry. NECA CTAG is working with the group on areas such as development of the Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) reference model, supporting legislation, education and training. The time frames of the project are aggressive, however the Minister is conscious of the enormity of the project and has relaxed some of the initial timelines to allow work items to be adequately reviewed and comments considered from the panel. Over the eight-year rollout, the project is anticipated to provide 25,000 jobs each year, peaking at 37,000 nationally. There will be more than 5 million premises connected. In anyone’s language, this amounts to a lot of work for a lot of people. The intention is to be involved early and provide solutions to the questions being asked and show we have the capability and scalability to deliver this mammoth project as well as maintain it and enhance it. CTAG will also develop a code of practice for the NBN delivery. The alignment of professional principles and a comprehensive education and ongoing management/maintenance platform will assist NECA in creating a turnkey role for itself and a leading position in the future of the NBN.

 

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