Emerson wins AUS$100m deal for Australian NBN

Emerson Network Power has been selected by the National Broadband Network Company (NBNCo) to design, supply, install and commission 10 network facilities centres across Australia as part of the rollout of Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN).

The Australian government has awarded Emerson Network Power a AUS$100 million contract to supply key infrastructure to the National Broadband Network (NBN) project in Australia. Emerson, said that it will be designing, supplying and installing cooling and infrastructure management systems at ten network centres to support the NBN roll-out across Australia.

Ross Campbell, vice president Telecom Asia for Emerson Network Power said in a statement that the infrastructure company’s bid was successful due to its, “ability to create integrated solutions that bring core IT and telecommunications components together.”

Cambell added that, “this capability will deliver tremendous value not only to NBNCo but also to the general public as beneficiaries of the technology, through efficiencies in network rollout and the highest levels of network performance.”

NBN Co Head of Network Operations, Steve Christian, said in a statement that, “We’re pleased to be working with Emerson Network Power on this project. The infrastructure the company is supplying will play an important role in ensuring the National Broadband Network is able to reach every Australian home and business.”

The size of the contract is likely to add fuel to the fire over the cost of the NBN project, which The Australian shadow minister for communications and broadband, Malcolm Turnball has criticised as ”the most expensive, most anti-competitive broadband network in the world”.

Speaking at the recent Broadband World Forum, Turnball told the audience that, “I think there is a lot of technical enthusiasm and exuberance associated with the building of fibre to the home – obviously it is the ultimate solution but it comes at such very high cost… I think the reality is that taxpayers’ money is a scarce resource, and you’ve got to get the balance right.”

The infrastructure project will play a key role in NBNCo’s plans to deliver a superfast broadband network that will deliver leading-edge broadband links to all Australian households and businesses. Emerson’s win was due to the breadth of its product portfolio as well as its ability to deliver the most cost-effective and energy-efficient infrastructure design for the facilities that will be based in mainland capital cities and function as equipment hubs, operational depots and training facilities.

Worth in excess of $100 million, the winning bid takes advantage of Emerson’s comprehensive product suite, including high-efficiency power systems (Trinergy and ASCO); Liebert precision cooling systems and SmartAisle optimisation; SiteScan infrastructure monitoring and management; and fully integrated, factory-tested modular housing systems. The products are complemented by Emerson’s in-house integration expertise, combining solution engineering, end-to-end project management, global supply chain and logistics, and site civil works (via partnerships with Silcar and Greenbox Architecture).

Emerson draws on a global platform of products, combined with experienced R&D and service teams in Australia, Europe, Asia and North America. This is reflected in the team behind the NBN project, drawing from experienced global resources but built around deep local IT and telecommunications expertise.

Ross Campbell, vice president Telecom Asia for Emerson Network Power and a seasoned campaigner in the Australian telecoms industry, said the scope of experience and technical depth that Emerson offers customers doesn’t exist anywhere else.

“Our approach reflects a dimension of our business that differentiates us - our ability to create integrated solutions that bring core IT and telecommunications components together,” said Campbell. “This capability will deliver tremendous value not only to NBNCo but also to the general public as beneficiaries of the technology, through efficiencies in network rollout and the highest levels of network performance.”
Emerson Network Power Australia managing director David Scott, a 38 year Emerson veteran, says the NBN will give Australia a competitive edge in trade and business opportunities at a global level.

“It’s not just about bandwidth, the facilities centres will house systems and information that need to offer levels of energy efficiency, reliability and management functionality to enable NBN Co keep the network operational and deliver on its promises to the Australian community.”
Scott said over the last few years Emerson has followed a focused acquisition strategy to add complementary data centre infrastructure products and technologies to its core portfolio. “It was this business strategy that enabled us to offer the NBNCo an unrivalled solution of integrated IT and telecommunications technologies and services,” Scott said.

NBN Co Head of Network Operations, Steve Christian, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Emerson Network Power on this project. The infrastructure the company is supplying will play an important role in ensuring the National Broadband Network is able to reach every Australian home and business.”

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