Australia NBN Launches its Fiber to Node Services

The Australian NBN has launched its fiber to the node Internet access service, part of its goal of connecting eight million premises to the NBN network by 2020, of which more than 1.6 million homes and businesses are expected to be connected using FTTN by perhaps mid-2018.

NBN aims to have 500,000 FTTN premises ready for purchase and use by consumers by mid-2016, with 3.7 million active commercial lines active by mid-2018.

The initial FTTN rollout began in Belmont, New South Wales.

As the nation’s authorized wholesale network, NBN--despite some concern--should settle into a reasonable business model, if construction costs wind up contained, and not again wildly underestimated.  

After all, every fixed network connection essentially will be supplied by NBN on behalf of its Internet service provider customers, including Telstra, Optus, Optus Wholesale, Exetel, TPG, iiNet, AAPT, SkyMesh, Harbour ISP and M2 Group (Dodo, iPrimus, Commander).

Since business customer revenue generates about half of all industry service revenues in Australia, it is possible business segment revenues will represent much of the revenue for the NBN.