Outdoor fibre fast-tracks smart cities: nbn

The power of nbn fibre can now reach well beyond the four walls of homes and offices to reshape cities and transform traffic management - with outdoor connections to increase three-fold by 2030.

Research undertaken by International Data Corporation (IDC) on behalf of nbn showed a revolution across industries as they adopt outdoor smart devices to drive innovation, sustainability and efficiency.

It’s predicted that momentum will increase exponentially – with today’s estimated 71,000 nbn outdoor connections expected to grow to more than 319,000 by the end of the decade.

nbn® Smart Places, nbn’s newest wholesale product, allows retail service providers and developers to tap into this opportunity through a miniature, ruggedised, reverse-powered network connection which delivers reliability, speed and security via nbn fibre###.

This innovative, industry leading IoT device will give developers a competitive edge and another reason to build with nbn.
nbn is accepting applications for Smart Places builds to non-premises locations in eligible areas and new developments.

Head of nbn® New Developments Andrew Walsh, said:
“This is a gamechanger for governments, developers, utilities and transport industries – it gives them the power of fibre just about anywhere.

“We trialled nbn® Smart Places right across the country in dozens of locations and it’s been so successful it’s now available throughout Australia.

“The device is only small, but its impact is massive – it can provide the connectivity to monitor and control traffic light signals, - digital billboards, provide Wi-Fi in public places, and provide real-time high-definition CCTV coverage.

“A great example of a development harnessing nbn® Smart Places to deliver a sustainable## and innovative community is the Brabham Estate in the heart of Perth which was one of the first places to trial the technology.

“Smart communities developer Peet used nbn® Smart Places to deliver, via retail providers, high performance Wi-Fi to the community park, allowing connectivity, smart benches with phone chargers, and a weather station which decides when to mow the lawns.

“We’ve only scratched the surface of its potential applications – and the emergence of AI as the next big thing in tech will generate many more ways for nbn® Smart Places to connect smart cities and towns across Australia.

“People want to be able to spend time outdoors while still enjoying the benefits of smart devices, applications and solutions.

“As we see a rapid increase in the planning and development of smart communities, towns, suburbs, precincts, and buildings, we know communities and businesses are seeking the best connectivity.

“A smart place (or smart cities as they’re often known) integrates technology into the surrounding built or natural environment to increase liveability, sustainability and productivity for residents and businesses.”