NBN opens Redcliffe HFC network to ISPs

NBN has opened its first hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) area to commercial services, inviting retail service providers (RSPs) to target some 18,800 premises in the Queensland suburb of Redcliffe.

Redcliffe was a trial site for the NBN HFC network. The trial involved four RSPs and 300 homes.

As of today, the entire suburb has been deemed ready for service (RFS).

“This milestone, flagged in January via the NBN product roadmap, means homes and businesses in the Redcliffe area will be able to order an NBN service by contacting their retail service provider who will be able to access peak wholesale speeds of up to 100/40Mbps,” NBN said.

Redcliffe is part of the former Optus HFC network footprint, which NBN has upgraded. NBN bought Optus’ HFC assets for $800 million.

There were mixed forum reports on which RSPs would be offering retail services in Redcliffe from day one.

An Optus spokesperson said it is offering retail services into Redcliffe.

However, a Telstra spokesperson confirmed it would not be offering retail services in NBN HFC areas for several weeks.

"Telstra is preparing a number of products that will be offered over NBN Co’s HFC network and we’re looking forward to bringing high-speed broadband to more of our customers," a spokesperson told iTnews.
 
"The first of these services is expected to launch in the next few weeks.

"This will be followed by a commercial pilot for additional products that will help us perfect the installation experience for our customers and ensure our devices and applications run smoothly on the new network."
 
Telstra said prospective customers could "register their interest in moving to the network once we start offering services" in the meantime.

In addition, iiNet only this week announced pre-commercial trials of the NBN HFC service. One of the trial areas is Redcliffe, where it is testing service provision to eight homes.

iTnews has contacted other major RSPs on service availability in Redcliffe.