APPENDIX 2 – Template for OC’s Audit of Its Internet Infrastructure Introduction

This document is designed to assist the Owners Corporation to consolidate information on current infrastructure within their building. This will assist OCs to identify potential technical issues withany proposals to provide upgraded broadband services through Fibre-to-the-Basement (FTTB) offerings.

Note: It may be necessary to engage professional assistance through Telstra, Foxtel or a qualified telecommunications installer if some of the infrastructure cannot be located.

Current Infrastructure used to provide Internet services within the building

  1. Determine whether in-building telecommunications is based on separate wiring to individual units or is provided through a Main Distribution Frame[1]. If an MDF is used:
  2. Determine the location of the MDF[2]
  3. Determine how much space is available near the MDF for installation of new FTTB equipment
  4. Determine whether the building is wired for Foxtel Cable services[3]
  5. Determine whether the building is wired for Ethernet and if so, which Ethernet standard[4]

[1] The Main Distribution Frame (MDF), also known as the Network Boundary Point is the boundary of Telstra’s telephone network in a typical multi-dwelling unit, ie, the MDF is the limit of Telstra’s responsibility. This is different from a free-standing dwelling or individually wired unit where the Telstra boundary is the first socket in the dwelling. Cabling from the MDF, and the MDF itself is typically the property of the OC.

[2] The location of MDF’s varies widely. The MDF should be (under current Australian Standard AS ACIF S009) within 1 metre of the main electrical switchboard. It is typically a small box marked as “Communications”, “MDF”, or “Main Distribution Frame”. In older buildings the location of the MDF can vary widely, including in cupboards, roof spaces, stairwells, basements or car parks near the front of the building or even attached to an external wall. See for examples of typical MDF’s.

[3] If Lot Owners receive Foxtel Pay TV services via cable (rather than satellite) then the building, or part of the building is wired for cable. Foxtel-approved cabling comprises RG6 Quadshield coaxial cable.

[4]Ethernet is a family ofcomputer networkingtechnologies forlocal area networks(LANs). However it can also be used for other multimedia services. In Australia Ethernet in-building wiring is typically restricted to commercial buildings. It is unlikely to be provided in a multi-dwelling residential buildings although some mixed residential / commercial building may have access to it.

Ethernet cabling supports data speeds from 10 Mbit to 100 Gbit. The most common Ethernet standards are10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T.