[AusNOG] NBN Co Aggregation advice

[Chris Gibbs]

Hey Tim

Completely understand both sides of the fence.

We believe that we should be offering network services for the following reasons.

	* Our users need access to network services, if we can provide it cheaper, why not? It would be irresponsible not to?
	* We are geographically localised. We don't want to pay a carrier to build out to X number of exchanges/POIs. With localised sites it is easier to build out to these locations, i.e. Gosford LGA is covered all from Gosford POI, meaning limited build-out.
	* In saying that, Council operates in some pretty remote locations, where typical telco infrastructure has not penetrated, i.e. Mangrove Dam, Mooney mooney, waste treatment facilities.
	* Council has a wide variety of community services offered, including the Roads, Water, Sewage, Parks, Planning, Environmental, Health, Waste, Libraries, Arts, Theatre, Child Care, Surf Rescue, Camping. Each user group has their own particularly needs that we cater and customise.
	* The microwave network was built in 2005 and gave Council access to a much faster network service for our remote sites. This build out was competitively tendered and was significantly more economical compared to a managed WAN provided by a telco. Due to challenges, the construction of the microwave was outsourced, however 1st and 2nd level support are within Council. 

	* Now in 2013 we have re-visited the cost benefit and now believe that not only is it more economical to move onto NBN Co for our remote sites compared to a managed WAN but it also stacks up against our existing microwave network.
	* We don't see this as additional tax burden and rest assured we are always looking for ways to save. Some of our sites will need bandwidth upgrades soon; instead of sinking money there we expect to save by moving to new technology that provides faster access.
	* We are aligning the project with the refresh of current CPE at remote sites.
	* We offer typical enterprise services, plus a few SP services. Data, VoIP, redundant WAN, centralised data centres (private cloud offering), QoS, firewall, VRF-lite (looking at migrating to MPLS), DMVPN.

We believe we have taken the innovative approach and that we possess the in-house skills to develop and expand our network. The majority of our IT infrastructure projects are completed with in-house knowledge and are not outsourced to contractors, further saving tax-dollars.

At the end of the day, I'm a rate-payer of Gosford and would not be recommending a solution that was a burden on the community.

Cheers,


Chris Gibbs
Network and Security Engineer | Information Management & Technology
Gosford City Council
www.gosford.nsw.gov.au

PO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 43258888
Mobile: 0408 222 496
Fax:    (02) 4323 2477
chris.gibbs at gosford.nsw.gov.au 


-----Original Message-----
From: AusNOG [mailto:ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Tim March
Sent: Thursday, 18 July 2013 9:35 AM
To: ausnog at lists.ausnog.net
Subject: Re: [AusNOG] NBN Co Aggregation advice


On 18/07/13 7:49 AM, Chris Gibbs wrote:
> So as of a couple of weeks ago, Gosford City Council is now a licensed Carrier and hopefully signing WBA shortly.

One half of me says; "That's really innovative thinking. If if you can provide discounted services fetc. to local industry and boost their competitiveness without increasing tax burden on ratepayers then that's totally awesome."

The other half of me says; "What business does council have getting in to the network services game? Your paid to keep the sewage flowing and garbage off the streets, not spend tax dollars playing telco."

I'm genuinely interested to hear what services/infrastructure you guys intend to offer and how you see that playing out from a fee/reward point of view...



T.
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