nbn co building simulated training facilities

In the wake of widespread complaints about connection delays and faults associated with nbn connections, nbn co is building new simulated training facilities for external workers.

The nbn Network Simulation Labs will provide training and assessments for more than 2000 field workers covering deployment, activation and maintenance of the nbn access network, covering all the access technologies that make up the multitechnology mix.

It will be designed to simulate a variety of challenges and complexities that arise when rolling out the network, and provide trainees with real-time experiences in connecting pits and pipes to premises, installing equipment and helping to resolve connection faults.

The fist nbn network simulation lab opened today at TAFE NSW’s Lidcombe campus, and the company plans to launch additional facilities across Australia throughout the year.

“With more than 30,000 workers out in the field helping to roll the nbn access network out, we remain committed to the continuous development of a highly capable workforce, to ensure the network delivers the quality Australians expect,” nbn co chief network engineering officer Peter Ryan said.

“There are lots of complexities which come up when working on a live network that can impact the way a technician needs to complete an installation or fix a fault. The benefit of these labs is that we can program problems and challenges for workers to deal with before they get out in the field. They can immediately see how their actions impact a live network and can start building their expertise from day one.”

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman revealed in October that complaints about nbn services surged 159% during the FY17 financial year, with an estimated 8.3 connection delay complaints received per 1000 services activated and 6.7 fault complaints per 1000 services activated.

In addition, the company still has not resumed the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) proportion of the rollout after suspending new applications in November.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/PETER HABERBERGER

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