X
Home & Office

NBN migration plan modified for FttC connections

After feedback, connections will not be deemed active until end-user traffic is detected.
Written by Chris Duckett, Contributor

The National Broadband Network (NBN) migration plan has been modified to cater for NBN's fibre-to-the-curb (FttC) technology, which will cover 1 million premises and launch later this year, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved Telstra's proposed variation.

After seeking feedback in December, it was pointed out to the ACCC that the original changes would allow for an existing connection on Telstra's copper network to be terminated prior to the FttC connection being operational. To avoid this situation, NBN has changed its processes so that an FttC connection is deemed active only after end-user traffic is detected.

"The proposed connection processes could have resulted in people being left without a phone or internet service before their FTTC service was operating," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The ACCC welcomes these improvements, which should provide a safeguard against consumers being disconnected before they have access to a working NBN service."

Telstra had previously proposed that disconnection would occur after 10 to 20 days whether or not the FttC line was working.

The migration plan modifications also included clauses to update special service class to add FttC-connected premises, as well as updating the order stability period, the time to clear pending orders before permanently disconnecting existing services and connecting NBN services, to align with existing in-train premises -- premises that are still waiting for their NBN service order to be filled after the disconnection date has passed -- disconnection timelines.

Also on Tuesday, NBN said it can now install a temporary parallel line to test special services prior to migration. Special services covers what NBN deems Traffic Class 2 services such as ethernet lite, ATM, frame relay, wholesale business digital subscriber lines, and integrated services digital network.

"We will now credit a AU$270 subsequent installation fee previously passed on to phone and internet providers for business customers migrating their special services over fibre-to-the-node and fibre-to-the-building technology to a separate line on the NBN access network," NBN said.

Related Coverage

ACCC to review backhaul declaration

Consumer watchdog to examine whether its Domestic Transmission Capacity Service declaration is still needed.

ACCC slaps Activ8me for claiming endorsement by consumer watchdog

NBN satellite broadband retailer claimed the endorsement of ACCC because it topped satellite customer numbers.

ACCC chair warns NBN retailers of 'further interventions'

Consumer broadband issues will be a major ACCC focus this year, with the Chair Rod Sims saying the watchdog will continue focusing on NBN speed advertising.

ACCC kicks off NBN wholesale service levels inquiry

The ACCC is seeking feedback on whether NBN's current negotiated wholesale service levels provide incentives for improving customer experience and repairing faults.

UK ISPs must give customers 'minimum guaranteed speed' when they purchase broadband (TechRepublic)

New rules from Ofcom aim to add transparency to internet service performance before a user signs a contract.

Editorial standards