Revised Standards and Code for VDSL2 and Vectoring

To facilitate the deployment of VDSL2 and vectoring technologies as part of the National Broadband Network (NBN), the Communications Alliance has revised the industry standards and launched an industry code.

VDSL2 and vectoring are technologies that are used to increase the rate at which data can be transferred across copper networks. They are expected to underpin the inclusion of fibre to the node (FTTN) in the mix of access methods through which the future NBN will be delivered - as spelled out in the broadband policies of the Abbott government.

The Communications Alliance has created a working committee that will revise four separate co-regulatory instruments plus an informative brochure to incorporate arrangements for the use of VDSL2 and vectoring.

Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton said the relevant Communications Alliance and Australian Standard already made provision for VDSL2, but that the industry code did not yet cover VDSL2 at the network deployment side.

“Given that vectoring has emerged only recently as a workable technology to boost data speeds via FTTN, neither our co-regulatory code nor the Australian Standard yet encompasses it,” Stanton said.

“The revision of codes and standards to facilitate new technologies and new policy directions is an important part of ensuring that Australian industry is equipped to realise the planned changes to the way the NBN is rolled out.”

Stanton said Communications Alliance will stay in close contact with government and other stakeholders as the work proceeds.