Last week NBN Co announced that preliminary site works are scheduled to start in August for the Armidale second release rollout of the National Broadband Network.
Works are due to start across nine locations across Australia in a rolling schedule, with preliminary site works to start first this month in Armidale and Coffs Harbour. NBN Co plans to rollout the network in a series of modules, each covering around 3000 premises. As previously outlined, the next sites are a mix of extensions to works at First Release Sites and a number of additional sites announced last July.
The announcement of start dates in NSW, Qld and the ACT follows the recent signing of a construction contract with Silcar for detailed design and construction in these areas. Negotiations are currently progressing with construction companies to undertake work in the other states and the Northern Territory.
It is estimated that the average time from the start of preliminary works to the activation of first services will be around 12 months. Additional onsite planning and preparation works will be necessary before building begins.
“The signing of the Definitive Agreement with Telstra – though yet to be approved by shareholders – together with the finalisation of the construction contract with Silcar, has allowed us to finalise the proposed schedule for the next round of construction in mainland Australia,” NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said
“The use of Telstra’s infrastructure, where it is available, should reduce the amount of disruption for the community and provide a smoother and more efficient rollout. It was for this reason that we waited to start this next phase of construction.
“The plan is to continue the rollout by extending from the places where we have started in the First and Second Release sites, as well as add other sites as planning progresses.
“Our intention is to release a 12-month schedule, including new rollout sites, in the near future,” he said.
