Connecting to NBN Co’s multi technologies network

The last edition of the newsletter provided an expose of the technologies that NBN co will use to deliver the high speed broadband service to the premises. The technologies are:

• Fibre to the home (FTTH)
• Fibre to the basement (FTTP)
• Fibre to the node (FTTN)
• HFC
• Fixed wireless
• Satellite

The question then is, how to connect the telephone and computers to them. Below is a pictorial representation of how to connect to the relevant NTD. Please note, recently NBN Co has started to refer to the NTD as the “NBN Connection box”.

FTTH is fibre to the home terminated on a Network Termination Device (NTD) which has two voice ports and four separately addressable data ports. This means you can have two different phone service providers and four separate data service providers.

Depending on how the telephone and internet service provider delivers the services then the computers would be connected to the NTD’s UNI-D port via a router and the phone directly to the UNI-V port. Alternatively if the service provider uses a gateway then the computers and phones would be connected to the gateway and the gateway connected to the NTD’s UNI-D port. The computers are then connected via the gateway and the phone are connected via the Gateway’s “ATA” port (Analogue Terminal Adaptor).

 

 

FTTP or FTTN is where fibre is installed in the premises or a location not far from the premises and the existing copper cabling is used to deliver the broadband signal using VDSL technology. This is very similar to ADSL from an installation point of view. So the installation in the premises is the same as ADSL, install central or in line filter so that the phone is not interfered by the broadband signal and connect a VDSLmodem. The VDSL modem will then have Ethernet ports, probably Wi-Fi same as the ADSL modems today.

 

 

HFC is where the high speed broadband service is provided via the existing Pay TV infrastructure that is currently used for broadband. So the installation inside the premises is the same as the existing cable modem.

 

 

FIXED WIRELESS this is where NBN will install radio base stations like the ones used for mobile phone and then install an antenna and a fixed modem (NTD) in the premises. The NTD has four UNI-D ports used for data only. A computer can be connected directly to the NTD or if there is more than one computer they are connected via a router/switch typically called a gateway.

 

 

SATELLITE this is where the NBN uses satellites to cover remote areas and in the premises they install a satellite dish connected to an NTD. The NTD has one UNI-D ports used for data only. A computer can be connected directly to the NTD or if there is more than one computer they are connected via a router/switch typically called a gateway.

The UNI-V port is extended using one pair just like the cabling done for standard telephone services.

The cabling for a UNI-D port is data cabling which is four pair cat 6 cable and all four pairs must be terminated.

 

 

Fire & Lift Cabling for the NBN

Click here for the NBNCo Reference guide to assist registered cablers when assessing telephony wiring for fire indicator panels and lift phone services to be migrated to the NBN.

 

Grow your business

If you want to grow your business then go to www.registeredcablers.com.au and access the marketing opportunities on the site. You can list your cabling business or access marketing material to promote your business.

Business opportunities

Technology and functionality are driving an increase need for a good solid cabling foundation. You would never contemplate building a house without a solid foundation. For this reason don’t leave the technology in the home to chance, make sure you advise your customers that the technology depends on a good foundation and that is “Cabling”.

There are quite a number of guides around to assist, these can be accessed by following this link http://www.registeredcablers.com.au/industry/marketing-and-support-material/ which will take you to a login page. To login use your cabler registration number and your surname.

 

Standards

Work is continuing in trying to get a handle on cabling in commercial building so that cabling in building can go from bad to good. The ABCB recently issued a discussion paper for public comment to form a view as to how to change the current status. Progress is being made with the hope to have something in by the next revision date of the ABCB’s National Construction Code in 2016. Whilst every effort is being made to achieve this timeline it is difficult due to the need to ensure proper process and public consultation before making any requirements mandatory.

Bad

Good