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Explore regulatory contrasts between Australia and NZ in implementing Next Generation Networks, reflecting on Karl-Heinz Neuman’s insights. Delve into complex issues surrounding NBN, UFB, GPON, P2P architectures, and regulatory challenges. Compare project differences, key regulatory aspects, and the evolution towards FTTH architectures. Understand the economic justifications and strategic decisions shaping the digital economy in both countries.
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11th ACCC Regulatory Conference Next Generation Networks in Australia and NZ - Alternate paths to the same outcomes?
Objectives • Contrast approaches to NGN policy in Australia and NZ • Highlight some key issues • Reflect on Karl-Heinz Neuman’s paper
Why are Australia and NZ leading the world? • Are we visionaries? Better understanding than ROW of the emerging digital economy? • Do we enjoy different economics from other OECD countries to justify NBN investment? • Proved-in business cases to demonstrate NBN & UFB as best use of nation’s capital? • Other drivers? • GFC, economic stimulus and Australia’s relative prosperity • Perceived under-investment in network and failure to upgrade • High cost, slow, and uncertain regulatory solutions to market failures; incumbent behaviour over time
NBN Snapshot – at least 90% fibre coverage • Cf Karl-Heinz data points: • €1000-2000 per household • FTTH x5 the cost of FTTN • 25% FTTH viable in France • 72% VDSL viable in Germany • Cf EU NGN Agenda: • BSO by 2013 for 100% • 30 Mbps by 2020 for 100% • 100 Mbps by 2020 for 50% Source: NBN Co Limited
NBN Snapshot – fibre + wireless + satellite Source: NBN Co Limited
NZ- LFC Candidate Areas • Layer 1 and Layer 2 services • Around NZD3000 to pass and connect • Layer 1 equivalence after 10 year concession
Australia- NBN 100% Government funded $43 Billion Govt contribution 90% coverage Speeds to 100 Mbps Layer 2 services only GPON architecture NZ - UFB Form of PPP $1.5 Billion Government contribution 75% coverage Speeds to 100 Mbps Layer 1 and 2 services GPON architecture except for Layer 1 Key project differences
Australia- NBN Telstra deal Infrastructure access by NBN Copper decommissioning Ultimately one last mile network NZ - UFB No deal with TCNZ at this point Chorus as an LFC? Copper remains Open to TCNZ to compete head-on with LFCs Key project differences -/2
NZ - UFB Unbundled copper local loop (UCLL) & unbundled bitstream access (UBA) since June 2008 Full operational separation since March 2008 Chorus run as stand-alone business Equivalence FTTN rollout (10-20Mbps): to 80% of NZers by end 2011; $1.4B cost ~$1000 per household Australia- NBN Unbundled local loop (ULL) since 1999 Unbundled bitstream access (LSS) declared Aug 2002 Notional operational separation since June 2006 Key regulatory and other differences -/1
Australia- NBN Regulatory design is work in progress NBNCo Special Access Undertaking ACCC approval NZ - UFB Regulatory design is work in progress Private party contracts between CFH and Partner to form LFCs LFC Deed of Undertaking Key regulatory and other differences -/2
Australia- NBN Layer 2 bitstream ethernet Implementation Study recommended that NBN be built for fibre network unbundling NZ - UFB Layer 2 bitstream ethernet P2P Layer 1 (dark fibre) FTTH unbundling (full equivalence) after Year 10 NBN/UFB Wholesale Services
A comment on GPON versus P2P • Karl-Heinz has suggested that P2P architecture < 10% more than PON • As I understand it, this is not what Australia and NZ economics have indicated • P2P adds cost: • additional fibre count • Increased civil engineering costs • reduced ability to undertake aerial rollout (large fibre runs) – going underground doubles cost • reduced ability to use drill runs – needs open trenching • Power and CO costs (see over)
Comparing P2P, Active Ethernet, GPON Central Office Space Fiber Raw Materials Power Consumption
Just some of the complex regulatory issues • What is wholesale? • Who can buy from NBN Co and LFCs • Price discrimination • E.g. volume discounts • In NZ, preventing predatory conduct by TCNZ against the LFCs • Preventing monopoly profits • Role of FCM
Just some of the complex regulatory issues -/2 • Does network structural reform solve competition problems permanently? • Cf Karl-Heinz comments on the multi-fibre model • How to regulate the ‘new fibre monopolies’ • Will content rights become a new bottleneck? • How to regulate for the transition period?
A Basic Comparison of Four FTTH Architectures Central Office Access loop Home More concentrated More distributed Point -to- Point Splicing IP Ethernet switch Active Ethernet IP Ethernet switch Ethernet switch TDMPON IP PON OLT WavelengthSplitter WDMPON IP Optical splitter PON OLT