[LINK] Council weighs in [Was:] NBN Fixed Wireless vs FttC

[David Boxall]

On 26/07/2017 10:36 AM, David Lochrin wrote:
> ... NBN Co. can install a fixed wireless tower and immediately claim 
> the NBN is "available" to a whole community. The cash flow is better too!
> The service is worse, of course, but the "optics" on the evening news 
> are great. ...
<http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/4812215/bellingen-councils-open-letter-to-nbn-co/>
> On behalf of the Bellingen Shire Community 26 Jul 2017, 4 p.m.
>
> Bellingen Shire Council (Council) is pleased to see that NBN Co is 
> rolling out high speed internet access across its Local Government 
> Area (LGA).
>
> Council also welcomes the decision of NBN Co to provide fi bre to the 
> curb (FTTC) to the Dorrigo and Bellingen townships.
>
> Council is however concerned with the impact on equity of access and 
> property prices within the township areas should the 
> “Multi-technology” mix extend into town boundaries.
>
> Council further requests NBN Co to provide fi xed wireless to the 
> Gleniffer Valley. According to NBN Co’s network rollout map.
>
> According to NBN Co’s network rollout map, the Bellingen Shire 
> seaboard is scheduled to receive fibre to the node (FTTN) in early 2018.
>
> While this may be considered as improved high speed internet access, 
> Council is highly concerned that this is not a long-term, 
> technologically sustainable option for the townships on the seaboard.
>
> The Urunga township is the main centre on the seaboard and currently 
> boasts 295 businesses. This coupled with its expanding residential 
> population, would see increased benefits by being connected to a 
> long-term sustainable option that supports business and residents in a 
> growing area.
>
> Council understands, according to the notification on NBN Co’s 
> website, that planning is currently underway for the Urunga township 
> and surrounding seaboard areas.
>
> Council formally requests that NBN Co plan to future proof the 
> seaboard and provide equity of services across the Shire through the 
> provision of FTTC.
>
> According to the 2011 ABS Census, 24.3 per cent of residents in the 
> Bellingen Shire do not have internet with 3.5 per cent only having 
> access to dial up and 3.3 per cent having a connection other than 
> broadband.
>
> With Australia moving to a fully digital economy, it is important 
> that, where possible, all areas are connected to the latest technology 
> so as not to be disadvantaged.
>
> A 2013 report commissioned by the Australian Government and undertaken 
> by Deloitte Access Economics outlines some of the benefits, 
> economically and socially, that high speed broadband brings 
> particularly to businesses and occupations that are affected by 
> technological change.
>
> The Deloitte Access Economics report (the Report) outlines household 
> benefits, including quantifying data, as:
>
> • Communications (social engagement and social media) - $74
>
> • E-commerce (travel savings and choice) - $565
>
> • Online services (entertainment) - $269
>
> • Travel savings (e-health, e-education and e-government) - $217
>
> • Employment (telework and travel) - $634
>
> • Productivity (lower prices and better quality) - $1,930 This 
> outlines a total household benefit of $3,800 by 2020 in current dollars.
>
> The Report also states, ‘A significant social benefit from improved 
> communications is the increased opportunity for social inclusion. For 
> example, people in regional and remote areas in particular will have 
> more opportunities to communicate with their friends and family — 
> overcoming the tyranny of distance — through broadband communication.
>
> This will particularly assist communities with large rural and remote 
> populations such as farmer and Indigenous communities’. NBN Co’s own 
> website outlines the benefits for business stating, ‘As small to 
> medium online businesses are having a greater impact on the Australian 
> economy, and demand for more efficient and reliable service increases, 
> the nbn™ network is essential for supporting our future economic and 
> social growth’.
>
> A 2011 report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on 
> Infrastructure and Communications (Parliamentary Report) raised the 
> link between faster internet connection and the role it plays in 
> everyday life. The report showed that high speed connectivity plays a 
> central role for peoples’ social connections, education opportunities, 
> employment prospects, health and access to services.
>
> The Parliamentary Report emphasised the potential role of the nbn™ in 
> enhancing greater equity in digital access to services in regional and 
> rural areas. The Bellingen Shire seaboard is an area in transition. 
> With the Pacific Highway Urunga bypass now open, businesses need to 
> stay connected and relevant to their customers.
>
> The area is also becoming highly sought after due to its quiet 
> location next to beaches and rivers. New development is being opened 
> up with a residential allotment of 240 blocks recently being approved.
>
> This is a Greenfield estate and a great opportunity for NBN Co to 
> provide access to FTTC making the area more enticing for anyone 
> looking to move to the region. Council’s Growth Management Plan 
> indicates that other surrounding seaboard areas also have the 
> potential for an additional 670 residential lots over the longer term.
>
> NBN Co’s Chief Network Engineering Officer, Peter Ryan, stated in a 
> blog post that FTTC and FTTN are closely related. The blog post gives 
> premise to how easy it would be to upgrade from the FTTN to FTTC.
>
> It is also our understanding that the cost to rollout FTTC is only 
> marginally higher than FTTN with the expenditure decreasing over time 
> through the use of newer construction techniques. With FTTN and FTTC 
> becoming more cost competitive, it makes sense that preference would 
> be to rollout the superior service the first time than having to 
> upgrade again in a few years’ time.
>
> Council will continue to actively advocate on behalf of the Bellingen 
> Shire Community to ensure our community is well served in this era of 
> digital transformation and seeks a timely and positive response from 
> NBN Co.
>
> Liz Jeremy – General Manager, Mayor Dominic King Councillor Garry 
> Carter, Councillor Jennie Fenton, Councillor Desmae Harrison, 
> Councillor Steve Jenkins, Councillor Steve Klipin, Councillor Toni 
> Wright-Turner.

-- 
David Boxall                    |  Australia's problem isn't fake news,
                                 |  it's fake government.
http://david.boxall.id.au       | --Ross Gittins
                                     Sydney Morning Herald 27 March 2017