NBN Co wants simpler device setup to connect to its network

NBN Co wants to consolidate the number of devices needed by customers to connect to broadband service, to reduce energy consumption and help achieve a “net zero” emissions goal.

The company has started that process through its consultations with industry on a “next-generation fibre-to-the-premises network termination device” or NTD.

A Whirlpool user, justjetty, obtained information from NBN Co in late September, suggesting the company is planning both one-port and four-port NTDs for the fibre footprint, sourced from Nokia and Sercomm.

The single port version would be about one-third of the size of the current NTD, according to the post.

But form factor reduction is only one goal, with the company ultimately hoping that users across its footprints will eventually be able to connect to the NBN with fewer pieces of equipment - either NBN Co or retail service provider-supplied - overall.

“Reducing the number of NBN/RSP devices in customer premises has the potential to significantly reduce customer energy consumption, costs and associated greenhouse emissions,” NBN Co said in a regulatory document [pdf] outlining its plans for the FY27 to FY29 period.

NBN Co said that it would work “in partnership with industry” on trying to cut the number of NTDs and routers “required by customers to access NBN services”.

It noted that “changes to systems and processes” would be needed, and that there were some complex issues to navigate.

“Significant work is likely required for this longer-term concept,” NBN Co said.

“[We] acknowledge previous RSP feedback on the challenges: including device sourcing, who bears the costs, the operational challenges and need to minimise customer issues and complexity. 

“NBN Co considers this a potential longer-term opportunity which could provide power reduction benefits for RSPs, customers and NBN Co.”

The company said that it had received some feedback from industry through the next-generation fibre NTD consultation, but that it is seeking more input.

“NBN Co is also keen to seek views from consumer advocates and customers, including via the regulatory proposal forum and the end user forum,” it said.

The regulatory proposal forum is a new consultative body comprising consumer advocacy organisation representatives and other telecommunications regulatory representatives, according to a stakeholder engagement proposal [pdf].

It’s not clear what the “end user forum” is, but the stakeholder engagement strategy outlined a plan to have a market research firm assemble 50 users to bounce ideas off of, and it could be a new name for this.

In addition to reducing the actual number of devices deployed by NBN Co and retailers in the home, NBN Co said that additional energy could be saved by utilising more efficient chipsets in the NTDs.

The increasing size of its fibre footprint is also anticipated to contribute to energy savings and sustainability goals over time.