National Broadband Network to call Docklands home

On July 2, Docklands was announced as the site for the National Operations Centre and Test Facility (NOTF) for NBN Co, the company which will deliver the National Broadband Network.

Premier John Brumby, the Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the chief executive officer of NBN Co, Mike Quigley, gathered in Docklands to make the announcement.

“When fully operational, the network operations centre will be the nerve centre of the NBN, and will employ around 425 professional and technical staff,” Mr Conroy said.

Approximately 4000 sq m of office space in Digital Harbour’s Innovation Building has been secured by NBN Co for the state-of-the-art operations centre and testing facilities.

Mr Quigley said NBN Co was very pleased to be in Digital Harbour because it had the opportunity to interact with other technology facilities in the area.

“This facility will be the centrepiece of our network and the key interface with our customers,” Mr Quigley said

Mr Brumby said Melbourne and Docklands were always going to be the best location.

“NBN Co’s choice to base the Network Service Operations Centre in Melbourne is a clear affirmation of Victoria’s expertise in the telecommunications and technology sectors,” he said

Mr Brumby said NBN’s decision to locate its NOTF in Victoria would create hundreds of jobs and demonstrate our state’s role as the Australian centre of telecommunications.

“The NBN will revolutionise broadband technology in Australia and strengthen Victoria’s role as the nation’s technology hub,” he said.

The NOTF will include the Network Services Operation Centre, Service Activation Centre and National Test facility.

“This will be the nerve centre operating the roll out of the $43 billion national network over the next eight years,” Mr Brumby said.

The Network Operations Centre would assist in making sure customers who connect to the NBN have a robust and reliable experience, Mr Conroy said.

“Design and fit-out of the Network Operations Centre has begun and the site will be redeveloped and operational by the end of this year,” Mr Conroy said.