TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Upcoming Price Changes to BRCA Cabling Registration
- Ethernet Now at 800 Gbs
- Webinar – Beyond the Basic AV Network – Streaming Available Now
- NBN to be upgraded to multi-gigabit speeds
- BRCA Registration and BICSI Membership, What’s the Difference?
Upcoming Price Changes to BRCA Cabling Registration
We would like to inform you of an upcoming change to our registration fees, effective October 1st, 2024. The new fees will be as follows:
– 1-year registration: $45 (previously $42)
– 3-year registration: $99 (previously $94)
All prices include GST.
This adjustment is necessary due to increased operational costs. By implementing this small increase, we can continue to provide quality service and ensure that BRCA remains a strong advocate for standards and best practices within our industry.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support.
Ethernet Now at 800 Gbs
Over the past 22 years, new higher speed Ethernets were introduced every 7-8 years. Then in 2002, GbE Ethernet was introduced, followed in 2010 with 40 GbE and 100 GbE, and then 200 GbE and 400 GbE in 2017. This culminated this year with the introduction of 800 GbE.
IEEE has often cited the Ethernet as the ‘plumbing of the Internet’ that has facilitated its undeniable exponential bandwidth growth over several decades. Notably, after 10 GbE, it was observed that core networking was doubling every 18 months, while servers were doubling every 24 months, leading to the introduction of 40 GbE and 100 GbE. After the development of these two Ethernet rates, the first IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Bandwidth Assessment forecasted that bandwidth needs would grow by a factor of 10 every 5 years. Armed with this knowledge, the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group developed 200 GbE and 400 GbE.
Recognising the immediate industry need for 800 GbE, the IEEE P802.3df Task Force was formed with subject matter experts from a variety of backgrounds – users and producers of systems and components for high-bandwidth applications, such as cloud-scale datacentres, internet exchanges, colocation services, content delivery networks, wireless infrastructure, service provider and operator networks, and video distribution infrastructure – to enable Ethernet to continue its evolution to satisfy the next generation bandwidth needs of industry.
Given industry acceptance of 8-lane electrical and optical solutions, the IEEE P802.3df Task Force was able to leverage a number of Ethernet standards that defined 100 Gbps electrical and optical signalling. By leveraging these standards, implementors will be able to re-use existing IP and quickly introduce new products compatible with the new standard.
Addressing the New Paradigm
IEEE 802.3df-2024, with its parallel x8 structure for 800 GbE, enables Ethernet to address networks where dual 400 GbE links are already being supported in a single x8 copper or optical connection. So an eight-lane port could be configured to support any of the following scenarios:
• one eight-lane implementation;
• two four-lane implementations;
• four two-lane implementations;
• eight one-lane implementations.
Thus, in combination with other Ethernet standards, a network architect can configure a single port to support standardised 100 GbE, 200 GbE, 400 GbE, or 800 GbE. This enables leveraging economies-of-scale to drive costs down throughout the entire ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
The latest IEEE 802.3 Ethernet bandwidth assessment noted that by 2025, bandwidth growth of various applications would grow anywhere from 2.3x to 55.4x the traffic levels of 2017, as illustrated in the figure above. This continuing exponential growth of industry bandwidth needs will necessitate the next rate of Ethernet sooner than the historical approximate seven years that has been observed since 10 GbE. The IEEE P802.3dj Ethernet Task Force is now focussed on developing solutions based on 200 Gbps or greater electrical and optical signalling over 1, 2, 4, and 8 lanes. With a lane rate of 200 Gbps, solutions for 20 GbE, 400 GbE, 800 GbE, and the next Ethernet rate – 1.6 Tbps – will be developed. This project is currently scheduled for completion in 2026.
Click here for more information or to get the IEEE 802.3df Standard
Webinar – Beyond the Basic AV Network – Streaming Available Now
The third in the series of webinars “Beyond the basic AV Network” is now available for streaming
Above the basic is a range of possibilities that can make the difference to the experience you can provide your clients; this webinar will give you an introduction so you can begin the journey and take up the challenge and stand out in the competitive residential technology marketplace – it’s all IP.
Presented by Andrew Sherar, Technical Director at Lightmoves.
NBN to be upgraded to multi-gigabit speeds
NBN Co recently announced that it will bring forward its plans on introducing 2 Gbps download speeds, originally scheduled for later this year. The first phase of industry consultation recently commenced.
The decision to fast-track the migration was made in response to requests from several retailers wishing to initiate discussions on multi-gigabit speed tiers sooner rather than later.
NBN Co is proposing to develop three, new ‘hyper-fast’ wholesale products for customers connected to the NBN network via Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) technology:
• Home Hyperfast for FTTP, offering speeds of 2,000/200 Mbps
• Home Hyperfast for HFC, offering speeds of 2,000/100 Mbps
• Business Fibre Plan for FTTP, offering speeds of 2,000/500 Mbps
In addition to the multi-gigabit speed consultation paper, NBN Co also issued a related consultation paper on Next Generation FTTP Network Termination Devices (NTDs) or ‘NBN connection boxes’.
To enable multi-gigabit speeds, two new NTDs are being developed by NBN:
1. single-port NTD with the technical capability to accommodate future speeds up to 2.5 Gbps for residential use; and
2. four-port NTD with the technical capability to accommodate future speeds up to 10 Gbps for businesses.
The consultation expands on NBN Co’s original proposal that would see five times faster wholesale download speeds on the popular NBN Home Fast product, accelerating it from 100/20 Mbps to 500/50 Mbps; as well as tripling the wholesale download speed of NBN Home Superfast from 250/25 Mbps to 750/50 Mbps; and accelerate the wholesale speed of NBN Home Ultrafast from (500 to ~1000)/50 Mbps to (750 to ~1000)/(50 to 100) Mbps.
NBN Co recently confirmed that it would be feasible to double the upload speed of this product and now plans to accelerate Home Ultrafast to deliver wholesale speeds of ~1000/100 Mbps.
Feedback on all three consultation papers closes 27 June 2024. NBN Co expects to issue a closure paper to confirm the outcomes of the consultation process in Q1 FY25.
Commenting on the network upgrade announcement, NBN Co’s Chief Customer Officer, Anna Perrin said: “Several retailers were quick to recognise the investments we made to upgrade our network, which is now opening up the possibility of multi-gigabit speeds. Our consultation provides a line-of-sight to a multi-gigabit future, enabling them [RSPs] to prepare their products and customer services to meet the growing need for speed amongst customers.”
Additional value for Enterprise Ethernet customers
With the significant growth of the NBN FTTP footprint, the company continues to enhance its service offerings and plans to reduce its wholesale prices for enterprise and medium-sized corporate customers.
NBN Co therefore proposes to configure all symmetrical Enterprise Ethernet speed tiers of 500 Mbps and above with its highest level of service – Premium 4 – at no extra wholesale charge. The change is designed to align the wholesaler’s service offerings between Enterprise Ethernet and Business Fibre over NBN Ethernet, as requested by RSPs. NBN Co is also planning to reduce wholesale prices on higher bandwidths, looking to simplify the product by flattening pricing to highlight the tiers.
BRCA Registration and BICSI Membership, What’s the Difference?
We understand that from time to time there is some confusion regarding the difference between being registered with BICSI Registered Cablers Australia (BRCA) and being a member of BICSI South Pacific. While both are integral to our industry, they serve distinct purposes and have different implications.
Cabling Registration: A Legal Requirement
As many of you know, being a registered cabler with one of the five recognized registrars in Australia, including BRCA, is a legal requirement for anyone performing cabling work. This ensures that all cabling work meets the necessary standards and regulations, maintaining safety and reliability across the industry. Your BRCA registration is essential for compliance and is your top priority as a cabling professional.
However, it’s important to note that being a registered cabler does not equate to being a member of BICSI South Pacific.
The Benefits of Becoming a BICSI South Pacific Member
While cabling registration is essential for compliance, becoming a BICSI South Pacific member offers a range of benefits that significantly enhance your professional standing and growth in the industry. Each member joins for the benefits that matter most to them.
Education
BICSI is renowned for its comprehensive reference manuals, standards, and documents that set the benchmark for best practices in the ICT industry. Members gain access to these invaluable resources, keeping you at the forefront of industry knowledge. Our respected training programs and certification programs, along with educational events, ensure you stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.
Connection
BICSI South Pacific events offer unparalleled networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners. Membership allows you to be part of a supportive community, where lasting professional relationships and friendships are forged, contributing to a dynamic industry network.
Leadership
Membership opens the door to numerous leadership opportunities. Volunteering for committees, serving on the Board of Directors, or speaking at events allows you to actively shape the future of our industry. These roles provide recognition and allow you to influence industry standards and practices directly.
All these benefits are about respect, about enhancing your standing in the industry. BICSI membership signifies your dedication to professional growth and best practices, earning you respect and recognition within the ICT community.
Additionally, as a member, you receive complimentary BRCA registration*.
*Must still comply with the necessary prerequisites for registration