NBN Co has signed a contract worth up to $27.7 million with Daly International Pty Ltd to undertake the detailed work of connecting flats and units to the National Broadband Network in Western Australia, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The contract is for two years with the option of two one-year extensions.

This follows the announcement in December that Downer EDI has been signed to connect multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in NSW, Victoria and the ACT, with Universal Communications Group Limited to provide connections in Tasmania and Sydney.

Daly International is an infrastructure deployment and project delivery group with operations that span Australia and the United Kingdom, involving projects for clients in the telecommunications, power, water and gas sectors.

Under the contract, Daly International will provide project development services, including notifications to residents and owners’ corporations, survey, design and construction services.

NBN Co chief operations officer Ralph Steffens says, “We’re pleased to have signed another partner to assist in the proactive approach we are taking to the rollout to apartments in terms of engagement with residents and the construction task.

“The rollout to MDUs requires special attention because of the variety of buildings we need to design and build for, and because we need to engage with owners of existing buildings in order to undertake survey and installation activities.

“The job of contacting owners’ corporations is being made easier by an agreement reached with Strata Community Australia (SCA) which is helping us obtain relevant contact details. Representing over 2500 companies and individuals, SCA has set up a site allowing members and non-members to register for each building scheduled for installation via a secure online site.”

The National Broadband Network aims to deliver fast, affordable and reliable broadband to every Australian by 2021.