Wednesday 14 December 2016

Maddocks has advised Australian telecommunications hardware vendor NetComm Wireless Limited (NetComm) on its deal to supply Distribution Point Units (DPUs) to the National Broadband Network (nbn) for use in connection with nbn’s recently announced Fibre-to-the-Distribution-Point (FTTdp, also known as Fibre-to-the-Curb) access technology.

Under this major deal, NetComm will supply DPUs and related services for the Fibre-to-the-Curb roll out of the nbn, which is expected to cover a potential footprint of 700,000 premises across the country.

The Maddocks team on the matter was led by Partner and Technology sector head Brendan Coady and included support from Partner Andrew McNee and experienced Associate Jack Evans.

Partner Brendan Coady said that NetComm’s DPU technology will play a significant part in the Fibre-to-the-Curb roll-out.

'The Fibre-to-the-Curb access technology works by delivering fibre all the way to the telecom pit outside a premises, where it connects into a DPU that then uses the existing copper line from the pit to the home.

'The nbn has tested this solution over the last year and determined it can save time and reduce cost and complexity by using this solution in certain areas. In addition, Fibre-to-the-Curb can more readily be upgraded in the future by deploying new copper-acceleration technologies with new DPUs and modems at the end-user premises.'

Partner Andrew McNee said Maddocks had a deep knowledge of the client having acted for NetComm over a number of years.

'Maddocks has a long history of advising NetComm on key telecommunications and infrastructure transactions, including advising NetComm on its supply of equipment for the fixed wireless component of the nbn. This most recent deal builds on our collaborative relationship and we are very proud to have supported NetComm on another major nbn transaction.'