Demand outside fixed-line footprint up to three times greater than originally anticipated

Near doubling of fixed-wireless footprint can serve 85 per cent more users

Fibre-to-the-Node network should be extended

Tighter management of scarce satellite capacity needed to deliver robust speeds to users

Funding requirements for expanded program in line with Strategic Review; 33 per cent more funding required than in previous Corporate Plan

Closer co-operation with mobile operators required to identify tower-sharing opportunities

The company building and operating the National Broadband Network will make high-speed internet available to more Australians in rural and low-density areas.

A review of NBN Co’s satellite and fixed-wireless programmes estimated there was demand for the NBN from more than 600,000 families, farms and businesses outside Australia's cities by 2021 – up to three times greater than originally anticipated.

The Fixed Wireless and Satellite Review follows NBN Co's Strategic Review of the rollout in the fixed-line footprint, published in December 2013. Both documents will form key inputs into the company’s new Corporate Plan, to be released later in the year.

Among the key findings of the Fixed Wireless and Satellite Review:

Up to 620,000 homes, farms and businesses outside the fixed-line footprint will be connected to the NBN by 2021, up from the 230,000 envisaged in NBN Co’s 2012-15 Corporate Plan

To accommodate the higher take-up, NBN Co must:

o improve construction methods;

o nearly double the number of fixed-wireless base stations from 1400 to 2700 to serve 85 per cent more premises; and

o extend the reach of the Fibre-to-the-Node network to serve the needs of up to 25,000 homes, farms and businesses that had been slated for a fixed-wireless or satellite connection

o improve construction methods; o nearly double the number of fixed-wireless base stations from 1400 to 2700 to serve 85 per cent more premises; and o extend the reach of the Fibre-to-the-Node network to serve the needs of up to 25,000 homes, farms and businesses that had been slated for a fixed-wireless or satellite connection The company must also secure additional radio spectrum to ensure 80,000 premises located in the urban fringes of cities and other major population centres, such as the Gold Coast hinterland, can receive the fixed-wireless NBN

The fixed-wireless and satellite programs will cost up to $5.2 billion by 2021 – around a third more than originally anticipated – but contribute just $1 billion in accumulated revenues over the period (versus c.$200 million), even with the greater take-up rate. This reflects the loss-making nature of serving premises outside the fixed-line network. These higher cost assumptions align with those made about the non-fixed line footprint in the December 2013 Strategic Review. No further changes are necessary to the peak funding requirements should NBN Co decide to implement the recommended approach

NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow said:

"A central aim of the NBN is to ensure all Australians have access to high-speed broadband no matter where they live or work so they can participate in the digital economy. This comprehensive review sets out a range of options that can help us deliver better broadband to more people more effectively in rural, remote and low-density areas.

"In order to meet the higher-than-expected demand for broadband in these areas, the review tells us we need to think smarter about the way we use technology. That way we can meet the needs of those Australians who stand to benefit most from fast, affordable and reliable broadband."

As of last week the fixed-wireless network covered 80,868 premises, with 12,859 connected to the NBN. There were 43,652 premises using the NBN Interim Satellite Service.

Future challenges

The comprehensive review also considered a range of alternative operating models and commercial options for both the satellite and fixed-wireless networks, including sale-and-leaseback arrangements and joint ventures with private operators, but ultimately recommended they continue to be managed by NBN Co and remain in public ownership for the foreseeable future.

The report did however recommend that NBN Co explore closer cooperation with mobile operators to maximise the opportunity to share towers.

The Review also urged NBN Co and its customers, the retail telecommunications providers, to work together to carefully manage the available capacity on the two Long Term Satellites. It said satellite products should be designed to include better and more enforceable fair usage controls to enable all users to receive consistent, quality performance from the new satellites, at up to 25 Mbps wholesale speeds.

It further suggested that the commencement date for the Long Term Satellite Service be moved to early 2016, or sooner if possible, to enable NBN Co to focus on its activation as well as the migration of services from the Interim Satellite Service.