NBN Co spends $94m on Northern NSW rollout

NBN Co has added a second fibre construction contract to Downer EDI’s roster, bringing the total of the construction company’s NBN contracts to $160 million.

The new contract, worth $94 million, will see Downer EDI provide construction capacity for the national network in Northern NSW. The contract runs for two years, with two one-year options to renew.

Under the new contract, Downer EDI is responsible for the rollout of the passive network from the fibre access node (FAN) to the box outside the home. This will render the home connection ready.

Downer’s previous NBN contract success, worth $66 million, was focused on getting multi-dwelling units fibre-ready in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

NBN Co’s chief operating officer, Ralph Steffens, flagged the second Downer EDI contract as just one of many contracts to be awarded during 2013 to hasten the network roll-out.

Steffens also commented the Downer EDI contract was awarded by tender, its value within corporate targets.