NBN works program update

The peak body for the Australian communications industry, Communications Alliance, says its NBN works program has attracted over 80 participants and generated robust discussion from a broad spectrum of the sector. Priority project teams are well advanced and initial outcomes are expected to be discussed at a soon to be announced third round of NBN Industry Connection forums.

Anne Hurley, Communications Alliance CEO, says the industry has responded enthusiastically to the NBN Industry Connection Forums and the ensuing NBN Works Program: “The industry is keen to be on the front foot for the NBN and we have been genuinely delighted by the high level of interest and participation in our NBN forums, Wiki and project teams from a broad cross-section of the industry.

“The project teams are progressing well and on track to finalise industry positions on the first three projects, that is the NBN Reference Model, wholesale services and early stage deployments, before the end of 2009.

“Far from advocating a carrier-centric model, as was recently suggested, the project teams are taking an inclusive approach to their discussions. Initial views are around having maximum flexibility for customer choice of service provider. We welcome input from all industry participants and encourage them to register for access to the NBN Wiki so they can stay up-to-date on project team progress and contribute to the conversation.”

Industry participants wishing to register for access to Communications Alliance’s NBN Wiki should visit: http://commsalliance.com.au/Activities/national-broadband-network.

There are currently 56 project team members representing 30 different organisations across the seven NBN Project Teams: NBN Reference Model, Wholesale Services, Early Stage Deployments, End User Premises, Operational, Technical and End User migration.