[AusNOG] "The NBN" will run on copper for *ever*

[Paul Brooks]

On 11/07/2014 5:37 PM, jake anderson wrote:
> On 11/07/2014 5:10 PM, Guy Ellis wrote:
>> Hi Reuben,
>>
>> There are two reasons why there has been little VDSL2 deployment locally...
>>
>> (i) Optimum loop length is ~<800m and the old exchanges are just too far apart.
>> You must have nodes in order get most subscibers <800m.
>>
>> (ii) In the case of iiNet, Optus and TPG their DSLAM rollouts were completed last
>> decade and are only ADSL2+.
>> Given that we have known that some from of NBN has been coming for years, and the
>> CAN uncertainty, no operator in their right mind is going to spend $$$$ on VDSL2
>> linecard upgrades, let alone think about deploying nodes.
>>
>> There are no technology problems with VDSL2, other than the rules of physics and
>> Shannons law!
>> FTTN has been already deployed in many countries using VDSL2.
>> Hopefully Australia will see some benefits as a late-comer with enhancements such
>> Vectoring and Bonding.
>> FTTH would be nice but it's not going to happen with this Government.
>>
>> Regards,
>>  - Guy.
>>
>>
> I always wondered why they never offered VDSL for customers closer than 800m or so.
> I mean it wouldn't cost them a *great* deal to add a few vdsl linecards to the mix.
There's also the issue that VDSL2 is not allowed on the public copper network yet,
until the CA C559 code is updated to include the higher frequencies. Until this
happens, VDSL2 is OK within buildings, but not on copper from Telstra exchanges or RIM
cabinets (Or FTTN cabinets). There are exceptions permitted within C559  for trials,
which the NBN/Telstra FTTN trial is relying on.

TransACT is a special case, as they deployed their own dedicated copper cables from
their node cabinets to the homes, TransACT's VDSL2 doesn't run along Telstra copper.

FWIW, there is a Comms Alliance VDSL2 Working Group active now working (for the second
time) to update C559 to bring VDSL2 into the permitted technologies list to enable FTTN.

(back to the football.....)

Paul.