The Australian government's National Broadband Network (NBN) initiative to bring high-speed broadband services nationwide has commenced with Corning Cable Systems Pty. Ltd.,( part of Corning Incorporated’s 'Telecommunications' segment) being chosen as the primary NBN Co supplier of optical fibre cable and hardware for the project.
NBN intends to provide 93 percent of Australian homes and businesses (roughly 10 million) with an open-access network with download speeds of 100 megabits per second within the next 10 years. Corning and NBN Co have signed a contract for the supply of optical cable and hardware that could be valued at up to AUD $1.2 billion over the contract period with an initial purchase commitment of AUS $400 million. An additional tender will be issued for the second half of the deployment at a later date.
Corning is a world leader in the manufacture of optical connectivity solutions for communications networks. Having participated in Australian FTTH builds since 2005 including the launch of NBN in Tasmania, Corning Cable Systems Australia has customized a country-specific solution set that will withstand the various environments found throughout the Australian landscape. Use of the FlexNAP™ terminal distribution system with RPX™ ribbon cable for aerial installations and ALTOS® ribbon cable featuring the industry’s best performing enhanced low-loss ITU-T G.652.D compliant SMF-28e+® LL fiber for underground installations will ensure a successful deployment.
“Corning is delighted to have been selected as a major strategic partner for NBN Co. The size and scope of the NBN project will enable Corning to invest in both new equipment and technologies for our Australian facility,” said Rainer Dittrich, managing director of Corning Cable Systems Pty. Ltd. “We look forward to supporting Australia’s vision and leadership in broadband deployment” he added further.