[LINK] Fwd: Some peace of mind about the NBN

[Paul Brooks]

On 9/11/2017 12:24 PM, Roger Clarke wrote:
> From: "iiNet" <support at iinet.net.au>
> Date: 1 Nov 2017 10:58:12 +0800
>> You don't need to switch to NBN because you're already on our ultrafast VDSL2 broadband network.
>> You've probably been hearing a lot about the NBN lately, so we thought we'd help clear a few thing up.
>> -   The NBN will not be replacing the network which powers your
>>    current VDSL2 broadband service.
>> -   That's because our VDSL2 network is already delivering reliable,
>>   high-speed internet with download speeds between 20Mbps & 80Mbps*.
>> This means that you can keep your current VDSL2 broadband for as long as you'd like. You don't have to switch to the NBN.
> At 20:35 +1100 1/11/17, Paul Brooks wrote:
>> I was interviewed on ABC Canberra radio last Monday, and a caller asked whether NBN
>> was replacing/overbuilding the TransACT network or not. I didn't know at the time, but
>> clearly its enough of a concern with enough people calling in that TransACT has
>> decided to be proactive about answering the FAQ to stem people from churning over.
>
> I wrote to iiNet on 1 Nov with this inquiry:
>>> I'm concerned about the statement that "The NBN will not be replacing the network which powers your current VDSL2 broadband service".
>>> Is this true?
>>> My understanding was that, once the NBN becomes available in an area, suppliers have to progressively close down other services.
>>> There are many parts of Canberra where the NBN is available, and many more where the over-build has commenced:
>>> http://nbnco.com.au/learn-about-the-nbn/rollout-map.html
>>> Our address isn't on the current map, but as I understand it, it will be.
>>> Further, I understand that people living in areas that have NBN available have also received the same letter from you.
> After a delay in responding and rejecting their initial, boilerplate response, I received this vacuous reply dated Wed, 8 Nov 2017 19:09:26 +0800:
>> As per the email your service will not be affected by nbn , nbn mostly affects adsl services and your service is a vdsl service so it wont be affected . 
> It might be true, but iiNet's service these days is absolutely atrocious, so anything that the company says is untrustworthy without supporting evidence.
>
> I wonder where in these sites the relevant documentation might be:
> https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/internet
> https://www.acma.gov.au/
> https://www.nbnco.com.au/

The relevent documentation is at:
https://www.communications.gov.au/departmental-news/revised-nbn-agreement-nbn-co-telstra-optus
and
https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/media-releases/nbn-co-and-telstra-sign-binding-definitive-agreements.html

The obligation to close down a legacy access network, thereby forcing customers to
migrate to a new access network, only applies to the Telstra copper network, the
Telstra HFC network, and the Optus HFC network. Importantly, its not an NBN obligation
- its an obligation on Telstra and Optus, that Telstra and Optus agreed to in their
contract with NBNCo, to shut their networks down.

The TransACT access network, nor any other non-Optus/non-Telstra network (e.g.
Neighbourhood Cable in Ballarat) is not required to close down, and there is no
requirement for people to migrate off it, if they don't want to.

This doesn't stop NBN from building a parallel network and attempting to service the
same premises as the TransACT network though, and NBN-connected RSPs trying to win
customers the old-fashioned way, with a competitive and enticing service offering - in
exactly the same way that TransACT attracted customers away from a Telstra copper line
back in the day.

Paul.