NBN Planning Report_Cooran

3       SITE SELECTION
Planning for a new fixed wireless broadband facility is a complex process. NBN Co conducts a
rigorous multi-stage scoping process, as outlined below.


3.1     Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage

NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless locations are determined by a number of factors including the availability
of both the NBN Co Fibre transit network and the availability of Point of Interconnect (POI)
facilities to allow for the installation of NBN Co fibre equipment. NBN Co uses a number of
methods to identify those parts of Australia that require Fixed Wireless coverage. When an area is
identified as requiring Fixed Wireless coverage, investigations are undertaken to determine the
measures required to provide this coverage.

NBN Co has identified a requirement to provide a Fixed Wireless facility at Cooran. The facility is
designed to provide Fixed Wireless internet services to dwellings in the rural outskirts of Cooran
and the surrounding area, in addition to serving as a key communications link for other NBN Fixed
Wireless facilities in the Noosa Council region.


3.2     Site Selection Parameters

NBN Co generally identifies an area where the requirement for a Fixed Wireless facility would be
highest, a ‘search area.’ A preliminary investigation of the area is then generally undertaken, in
conjunction with planning and property consultants, radiofrequency engineers and designers in
order to identify possible locations to establish a facility.

Generally speaking, new sites must be located within, or immediately adjacent to, the identified
search area in order to be technically feasible. However, while the operational and geographical
aspects of deploying new facilities are primary factors, there are also many other issues that
influence network design, which have to be resolved in parallel.

Some of the issues that may be considered include visual amenity, potential co-location
opportunities, the availability and suitability of land as well as a willing site provider, occupational
health and safety, construction issues (including structural and loading feasibility and access for
maintenance purposes), topographical constraints affecting network line of site, legislative policy
constraints, environmental impacts, and cost implications.

The number, type and height of facilities required to complete the Fixed Wireless network are
largely determined by the above operational, geographical and other factors discussed that
influence final network design. These compounding factors often severely restrict the available
search area within which a facility can be established to provide Fixed Wireless internet services to
a local community.




NBN-4BBZ-4GYM-5132-Schreibers                                                       Page 9