NBN awards IBM $200 million contract after lengthy procurement process

The National Broadband Network (NBN), the company charged with the $36 billion task of developing Australia’s national broadband network, has granted a multi-million dollars systems integration contract to IBM Australia, after a lengthy procurement process. 

The three-year contract, expected to be worth over $200 million, will see the US-based IT group implement and manage the core business and operational support systems required to operate Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN).

David Murray, IBM Australia’s general manager for the NBN, said the move was significant for the progress of one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Australia’s history.

“Using IBM technology and services NBN Co can cost effectively manage its network, provision and configure services, and bill its wholesale customers,” Murray said.

“This is a key step in advancing the delivery of Australia's next-generation broadband platform for businesses and consumers,” he said. 

The awarding of this contract followed an extensive procurement process that started with request for capability statements in February 2010 followed by a request for proposal last July.

Implementation work has already started, and will be completed in four releases.

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