NBN Co hits the ground running in new developments

Starting from 1 January 2011, developers of all broadacre developments and infill developments of 100 premises or more released over a three-year period can apply to have fibre infrastructure installed by NBN Co.

The development industry has embraced the change with more than 70 online applications submitted by developers requesting fibre for their new developments since New Year’s Day when NBN Co’s online application process went live.

More than 2000 pre-existing development applications, representing some 70,000 premises in new developments, are expected to be submitted in January and NBN Co is preparing to start work in these developments in the first quarter of this year.

Developers will be required to install ‘pit and pipe’ infrastructure to NBN Co’s standards in order for their development to benefit from a fibre installation.

NBN Co plans to pass 172,000 premises and provide and establish an active service to some 132,000 premises in Greenfield estates by June 2012.

NBN Co Chief Executive Officer Mike Quigley said that homes and businesses in new developments will be among the first to be connected to the fast speeds offered over the National Broadband Network, adding: “There is a great opportunity to maximise efficiency and lower costs when fibre is installed at the early stages of a new development.

“We’ve created a straightforward and easy-to-use online application process for developers to register their new developments and request fibre installation from NBN Co and we want to encourage developers to register.

“Developers that have new broadacre developments or infill developments of 100 premises or more should register their request for fibre from NBN Co at www.nbnco.com.au/NewDevelopments.”

NBN Co is also working with development industry associations to distribute communications and implement a national roadshow to inform developers about the NBN Co New Developments implementation plan.