NBN pushed to install fibre-to-kerb connections

THE NBN Co says fibre to the node is the most appropriate technology for broadband rollout on the state’s West Coast.

The company says it remains committed to a fixed line rollout to Queenstown, Zeehan and Rosebery and fixed wireless to Strahan.

Labor senator Anne Urquhart and Braddon MP Justine Keay are calling for new fibre- to-kerb technology to be considered.

“NBN Co must roll out this improved technology to the West Coast because [fibre-tokerb] is commercially available on the mainland and construction has not commenced in Queenstown, Rosebery and Zeehan,” Senator Urquhart said.

However, a company spokesman said inspections had already been done at some sites and service was planned for the second half of next year. He said existing West Coast infrastructure meant fibre-to-node was the most appropriate technology.

During the 2016 election campaign, the Coalition promised $18.5 million for the West Coast NBN project and the State Government committed $4.5 million, making an unused TasNetworks fibre optic cable available to NBN Co at no cost.

West Coast Council Mayor Phil Vickers still hopes fibreto-kerb can happen. “It’s possible that the full $18.5 million would not be required for the [fibre-to-node] rollout so we are asking whether a better technology [fibre-to-kerb] could be afforded,” he said.

Ms Keay said NBN Co had said fibre-to-kerb would be available from next March and it could be incorporated where the rollout had not progressed too far into design and build.