NBN Co taps ARRIS for HFC portion of Australian broadband network

NBN Co, the group tasked with overseeing deployment of Australia's National Broadband Network, has selected ARRIS Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRS) for the hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) portions of the project.

The nationwide broadband access network build, originally envisioned as an all-fiber effort (see "Australian PM: We'll do broadband build ourselves"), has changed direction toward a "mixed media" focus to save money (see "Government shifts Australia’s National Broadband Network away from FTTH"). That includes upgrading the country's HFC plant.

ARRIS will supply its E6000 CER (Converged Edge Router), along with ARRIS Access Technologies and Supplies (ATS) products (CORWave forward path transmitters and OM4100 optical receivers) and Assurance service assurance products. NBN Co also chose the company's Global Services business to oversee the full deployment and network integration of the new equipment. The upgrade will provide a pathway toward potential use of DOCSIS 3.1 technology.

"NBN Co is committed to ensuring that everyone in Australia will have access to high-speed broadband services. An HFC network represents the fastest and most cost-effective way to deliver it to consumers and businesses in the existing HFC network areas. Our goal is to achieve high-speed broadband as quickly possible, with an eye on future technologies that will secure our place as a global technology leader," said NBN Co CTO Dennis Steiger.

"Significant investments are being made in HFC broadband technology on a global scale, and we are committed to ensuring that Australia is at the forefront of this movement," he added.

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