TfNSW to become largest user of NBN non-premises fibre

Transport for NSW has started a major modernisation of the telecommunications used to connect traffic lights and cameras, turning to NBN Co to upgrade connections to 2000 of some 14,000 assets.

The state department will pay $15 million to deploy NBN Co's 'smart places' service to 1342 NSW locations over the next 18 months. 

'Smart places' provides fibre-based NBN connectivity to non-premises locations. According to TfNSW, it will have the largest deployment of smart places in Australia.

TfNSW's non-premises devices fall under its intelligent transport system (ITS), which relies on end-of-life copper and 3G technology for network connectivity.

Vocus and TPG have both been awarded contracts to shift the first 2000 assets onto fibre, which will cover 1300 traffic light controllers and roughly 700 roadside CCTV cameras. 

A TfNSW spokesperson told iTnews that "the 'smart places' product was tested and found to be a suitable technology to upgrade our assets away from current copper-based services.”

As part of the “extensive multi-year program”, TfNSW will also phase out its use of the 3G network, the spokesperson added.

The non-premises upgrade will span Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle, as well as regional centres including Albury, Ballina, Wagga, Orange, Taree and Tamworth.

“Isolated” areas will not be included in the 'smart places' rollout, owing to NBN fibre not being available in those areas.

TfNSW's executive director of Intelligent Transport Systems John Paul Ahern said that networking needs are expected to “exponentially increase in the coming years” due to a “rise in communication between connected automated traffic systems and vehicles”.

“Improvements to the speed and reliability of connections to these critical assets will reduce faults and downtime while boosting the efficiency of our intelligent transport system,” Ahern said.

Ahern added that the upgrade “opens up options” for where the transport department can “expand smart traffic systems and motorway capabilities".