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Fri 11 MAY

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Technology

$40 million NBN fibre factory opens in Clayton, VIC

Posted on Friday 11 May 2012 by Dan Warne

Fibre-optic maker Corning has opened a new Australian production line, manufacturing 'ribbon fibre' cables for NBN Co -- the first time this type of fibre has been used or manufactured in Australia.

The significantly expanded manufacturing facility is expected to create up to 400 local manufacturing jobs as the rollout of the NBN scales up (and, as Senator Conroy said at the launch, that's just part of the up to 16,000 - 18,000 jobs the NBN is forecast to create across the country at the peak of the rollout.)

The loose-tube ribbon fibre will provide an efficiency boost for the construction of the NBN in Australia, as it allows much faster splicing (connection of fibre cables) than normal stranded fibre that has been typically used in Australia until now.

Inside the cable tubes, up to 576 individual fibre strands are arranged in 'ribbons' of 12 fibres next to each other. Each ribbon can be spliced in one operation with a special tool, rather than each fibre needing to be individually joined.

The result is that construction workers building the National Broadband Network in the field will be able to join cables together much faster than they could before.

NBN Co's Chief Executive Officer, Mike Quigley, said: "NBN Co is pleased to be working with companies that are increasing their investment in local manufacturing and local jobs."

"A benefit of Australia investing in upgrading our communications infrastructure is the creation of local jobs and local industry investment, and we congratulate Corning on the launch of its local manufacturing line."
Above: Senator Stephen Conroy cuts the ribbon (not a fibre one!) to declare the factory officially open. Also pictured, Senator Simon Crean, Corning Australia Managing Director Rainer Dittrich and Corning Senior Vice President Kimberly Hartwell.
Above: Senators Conroy and Crean receive samples of the Corning Altos Loose Tube Ribbon Cable that will be manufactured at the Clayton factory and used in the construction of the NBN. Also pictured: Corning Australia Managing Director Rainer Dittrich and Corning Senior Vice President Kimberly Hartwell.
Above: Fibre starts spooling at the production line as the factory is declared open.
Above: Rolls of finished fibre optic cable. 576 individual fibres are safely contained inside the green tubing.
Above: Inside one of the Altos Loose Tube Fibre Cables. The white and black rods are for strength, while the coloured tubes contain the ribbons of 12 fibres.
Above: A close up of the fibre ribbons.

View more about:
Fibre, Ribbon fibre, Corning, Clayton VIC, VIC, Construction

By Dan Warne, NBN Co Blog Editor

Dan has been a technology journalist for the last 10 years, first with broadband community site Whirlpool.net.au, and later with APC Magazine and Sydney Morning Herald. He has a baby boy, two chocolate labradors, and a fascination with broadband and everything it can make possible. Email: danwarne@nbnco.com.au

Legal stuff you need to know:

When we talk about speeds delivered over the National Broadband Network, we are referring to the wholesale speed to telephone and internet service providers. The speed you can achieve, and services you can use, on your individual connection will depend on many factors including the services you subscribe to, the software and communication protocols you use, quality of your equipment and connection to your home/business, the broadband plans offered by your telephone or internet provider and how it designs its network to cater for multiple users.

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