NBN Co Selects ARRIS for New Australian HFC network

NBN Co has selected ARRIS to build a next-generation Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) network for Australia's broadband network. Financial terms were not disclosed.

NBN Co expects that using HFC technology will yield significant cost savings for Australian tax-payers over its previous FTTH network design.

ARRIS said its platform will allow NBN Co to enhance and manage its cable access network while providing a roadmap for possible future migration to DOCSIS 3.1 architecture. The initiative involves its flagship E6000TM CER (Converged Edge Router) along with a number of additional ARRIS product lines, including: ARRIS Access Technologies and Supplies (ATS) products (CORWave forward path transmitters and OM4100 optical receivers) and Assurance solutions for service assurance. Additionally, ARRIS's Global Services was selected for the full deployment and network integration of this national broadband service. In addition, ARRIS Global Services group will assist NBN Co in managing and supporting its network and customers.

NBN Co CTO, Dennis Steiger, said: "An HFC network represents the fastest and most cost-effective way to deliver it to consumers and businesses in the existing HFC network areas. Our goal is to achieve high-speed broadband as quickly possible, with an eye on future technologies that will secure our place as a global technology leader." Steiger continued: "Significant investments are being made in HFC broadband technology on a global scale, and we are committed to ensuring that Australia is at the forefront of this movement."

Bruce McClelland, President of Network & Cloud and Global Services at ARRIS added: "ARRIS is honored to be selected by NBN Co for this exciting project and whole-heartedly endorses the use of HFC technology to proliferate Broadband across Australia. The ARRIS portfolio of Products and Services are at the heart of many Broadband networks around the world, and we look forward to expanding our presence in the Asia Pacific region. We are delighted to be working with NBN Co at such an important stage in this initiative."

http://ir.arrisi.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=87823&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2018745


In December 2014, Australia's NBN Co announced a new national rollout plan for the National Broadband Network (NBN) based on a multi-technology access strategy, including fiber to the premise (FTTP), fiber to the node (FTTN), wireless and upgraded HFC. 

Areas where NBN FTTP has been deployed or is in advanced stages of being built will likely remain part of the FTTP rollout, while areas served by the Optus or Telstra Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable networks will likely receive fast broadband over an upgraded HFC network.

The plan covers the next 1.9 million homes and businesses by mid-2016 across more than 400 cities, suburbs and towns, on the path to achieving 8 million connections to the NBN by 2020.