Almost all homes and businesses in Canberra are set to receive full fibre internet connections within the next four years, marking a significant upgrade in the region’s digital infrastructure. This ambitious project aims to enhance internet connectivity by transitioning from Fibre to the Node (FTTN) to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), benefiting approximately 99% of Canberra premises.
The initial commitment from the Commonwealth was a $3 billion investment to upgrade 94% of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) premises currently using FTTN. However, recent announcements have expanded this target, with NBN Co CEO Ellie Sweeney confirming the increased scope during a briefing on Wednesday, February 18.
“It is the fastest, it is the most reliable, it is the highest availability network that we have,” Sweeney stated. “So whether you are working from home, whether you own a business, whether you are streaming, whether you’re gaming, whether you are learning, accessing telehealth, accessing government information, you will be on the fastest available network in Australia.”
Understanding the Fibre Transition
FTTN involves optical fibre being laid to a node on the street, with the remaining distance to homes covered by existing copper wiring. This setup can lead to variable network speeds depending on proximity to the node, and the copper wiring can further impact potential speeds. In contrast, FTTP ensures optical fibre extends directly to homes, offering higher data speeds and greater reliability.
The rollout will span 50 projects across 85 suburbs, requiring over 2,500 km of fibre to be installed throughout Canberra. This extensive project aims to upgrade approximately 97,000 ACT premises currently on FTTN to full fibre connections by December 2030.
Construction and Implementation
Construction has already commenced in the suburbs of Narrabundah and Symonston, with plans to progressively expand across the ACT, from Mawson, Kambah, and Calwell in the south to Campbell, Holt, and Flynn in the north. The implementation will utilize both underground and aerial methods, tailored to the specific requirements of each area.
“The majority is going to be underground … [that’s why] Canberra’s been a challenging build for NBN,” Sweeney explained. “From our perspective, this is an investment not only today but for decades to come. Once that fibre is in the ground, it’s there, and it is only the electronics on either end that we need to upgrade to take those speeds even higher in the decades to come.”
Challenges and Future Prospects
While the project covers the majority of Canberra, the remaining 1% of premises present logistical challenges that make full fibre connections uneconomical. NBN Co is exploring alternative solutions, including fixed wireless and low-earth-orbit satellite options, to ensure these areas also benefit from improved connectivity.
“We’ll be looking at a better technology than what people are on today, which is copper,” Sweeney noted.
This initiative is part of a broader national effort to upgrade Australia’s FTTN network, supported by a $3 billion equity investment from the Federal Government in NBN Co, complemented by over $800 million in company contributions.
Political and Economic Implications
Finance Minister and ACT Labor Senator Katy Gallagher emphasized the importance of delivering the high-speed broadband initially promised to Canberrans before plans were revised under the former Liberal government.
“This is about finishing that job, making sure that households and businesses can have the choice to have that access to high-speed broadband delivered by the NBN, in a time when we know demand through households and businesses for high-speed internet is increasing all the time,” Gallagher said.
With the average household expected to increase its number of connected devices from 25 to 44, and businesses increasingly reliant on high-speed internet, the upgrade is seen as crucial to meeting future demands.
NBN Co is expected to collaborate closely with ACT Government directorates to ensure the project’s successful completion. Chief Minister Andrew Barr highlighted the significant economic potential the upgrade represents for Canberra.
“A really important part of the federal government’s role through NBN Co is to provide an efficient and effective broadband network for this city, and its economic development potential is significant, right across Canberra,” Barr stated. “So too is what it will do to enhance productivity across our city’s economy.”
As Canberra moves towards a future of enhanced digital connectivity, the full fibre upgrade promises to transform the city’s technological landscape, paving the way for increased innovation and economic growth.
