NBN, the firm behind the operation of Australia’s national wholesale-only, high-speed broadband network, has handed out a contract to Nokia Siemens Networks to supply optical transmission equipment for its new fibre network.

Head of Corporate Services, Kevin Brown, said the proposed initial purchase order with Nokia Siemens Networks will be for $10 million and include the acquisition of test laboratory equipment and systems to support early release sites.

The firm says the potential value of the contract is up to $400 million over the next 10 years.

Brown explained, “Nokia Siemens Networks is a high-quality global and local supplier of equipment and services and employs over 600 people in Australia, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Their proven track record in Australia, utilising local expertise combined with global capability, is a sound starting point in the future of our partnership,” he said.