The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has opened its $32.5 million operations centre in Melbourne. The facility, located in Melbourne’s Docklands district, will act as a central hub that houses the facilities that manage the day-to-day operations of the NBN service, while allowing telcos and ISPs to test products and equipment they will make available as services are rolled out.

 

The new facilities launched are:

  • Network Service and Operations Centre (NSOC) that enables NBN Co to monitor the network across the country, detect faults, manage orders and support the telephone and internet service providers that will sell broadband services to the public.
  • National Test Facility (NTF) which will allow telephone and internet service providers to test new services before they are rolled out across the NBN. It will also be used to test NBN Co's new products such as the planned multicast capability that is being designed to give telephone and internet providers the ability to deliver high-quality video to support a new wave of services such as IPTV in high-definition.
  • Discovery Centre, a hands-on interactive educational experience at Docklands. Visitors can learn about and experience for themselves the benefits of the NBN in an environment built to resemble the interior of a family home.
  • NBN Co Demonstration Truck, a 23-tonne mobile interactive discovery centre that aims to bring the NBN experience to life. The NBN Co truck opens up to feature impressive outdoor displays while its interior has been fitted with high-definition screens, cameras and audio equipment that bring the NBN experience to life. Like the Discovery Centre it will feature practical displays showing the NBN equipment that Australians can expect to see in their homes and businesses. It is expected to visit more than 100 towns and cities across Australia over the next 12 months, starting next week in Tasmania.

 

It is estimated that up to 100,000 people a year will pass through the NBN Co truck and the Docklands Discovery Centre. Individuals and groups interested in visiting these facilities can book online at www.nbnco.com.au/demos.