At present, the only broadband option in many areas is satellite, as ADSL is restricted to a relatively small radius of the exchange -- and in any case is not available everywhere -- and the rollout of the Telstra and Optus cable networks has ceased.
VDSL (very high data rate digital subscriber line) provides up to 52Mbit/sec over copper wire -- more than enough to support the 10-19Mbit/sec required for HDTV. This speed is achieved by extending the fibre network to within 300m or so of the premises -- sometimes described as 'fibre to the kerb', 'fibre to the cabinet', or in the case of apartment or office blocks, 'fibre to the building'. Apart from the high bandwidth, VDSL has quality of service features that make it suitable for delivering voice and video traffic over a unified network.
Marconi's access hubs -- the link between the fibre network and the copper pair connecting to the premises -- currently support ADSL and SDSL, with VDSL being added this year. The architecture allows the addition of fibre to the home when that technology is viable, according to managing director Paul Butcher.
"Customers want video-based services," he said. Even if they are buying high-speed Internet services, they want to send video clips and pictures to friends and relatives, Butcher added. "[Quality of service] is the thing that's attracting customers and keeping them."
Marconi supplied the equipment used by TransACT to build a broadband network in Canberra. This project "shows we've got a great [business] model we can take to other communities," Butcher said.
Using long-haul communications equipment from Marconi, it would be possible to treat smaller communities as if they were suburbs of Canberra, leveraging TransACT's investment at the head end of the network to provide services at relatively low capital cost. The technology is also suitable for 'infill' deployment in metropolitan areas not served by either cable network, but as it offers superior quality of service consumers may find it more attractive than cable, Butcher said.
The regional telcos that Marconi is working with cover town and country areas. Local government, local businesspeople and utilities are involved with the schemes. Announcements are expected before the end of the year.
