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NBN Co has formed a three-year research partnership with RMIT University focused on broadband innovation, digital infrastructure modelling and future workforce development.
The agreement, known as ASTRID, brings academics and telecommunications specialists together to explore ways to improve the performance and resilience of the national network. A Broadband Technology Research Unit will be established as part of the arrangement, giving NBN Co access to RMIT researchers, students and postdoctoral candidates.
The company plans to use the partnership to support its work in Ai and robotics while progressing a digital twin capability for the national network. The model is expected to help with scenario planning, capacity forecasting and options analysis across different access technologies.
Digital Twin At Centre Of Technical Work
Chief Technology Officer, Guy Scott, said the relationship builds on earlier research projects between the two organisations.
“NBN Co and RMIT are close collaborative partners, and we’ve achieved some great research outcomes so far,” he said. “Through this exciting new ASTRID agreement, we expect to take things to a whole new level.”
Scott said the digital twin will play a central role in forward planning. “The Digital Twin will be a powerful tool for modelling the nbn network and our services over the next decade and beyond, using large, real-world datasets for all our access technologies in different locations,” he said. He added that the system would help verify long-term forecasts, guide design decisions and support lifecycle management.
The company expects the capability to inform work on congestion management, outage responses and extreme weather resilience by predicting trends and enabling more proactive intervention.
Building Talent Pipelines And Industry Capability
The partnership also carries a workforce component. Students will have opportunities to work directly on national digital infrastructure, with a focus on supporting pathways for women in STEM fields.
RMIT Distinguished Professor, Calum Drummond, said the arrangement strengthens the university’s position in telecommunications research. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing research and development within critical fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital twins,” he said.
He said the collaboration draws together RMIT’s research strengths and its skills programs. “By combining RMIT’s strengths across research and skills development, this partnership enhances our ability to deliver world-class learning experiences, deepens our relationships with industry, and informs national priorities,” he said. “Together we are working to make Australia’s digital infrastructure smarter, more accessible, and more resilient.”
Scope Extends Beyond Core Research
The ASTRID program includes work on technologies relevant to the national network, a strategic technology adviser role, and co-funded projects with other agencies. It also sets the foundation for international partnerships and exchange programs linked to broadband development and network intelligence.
Both organisations see the agreement as a pathway to more advanced modelling, stronger operational insight and a broader pool of technical talent for future telecommunications needs.
Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Nick Ross
