Creswick next in line for fast and reliable broadband

This weekend residents and businesses in parts of Bacchus Marsh will be among the first in Victoria to complete the transition to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Services over the NBN are scheduled to progressively replace most existing landline phone and internet services in parts of Bacchus Marsh from 5 October 2014.*

NBN Co today also announced an additional 1,300 homes and businesses in parts of Creswick can now experience the benefits of fast and reliable broadband as service over the NBN recently went live.

NBN Co spokesperson, Andrew Sholl said:

“Residents and businesses in parts of Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat and Creswick are at the forefront of a nationwide upgrade to Australia’s fixed-line telecommunications system – the first of its kind in more than 100 years.

“By the time the rollout of the NBN is complete every home, business and community across Australia will have access to fast broadband, enabling us to benefit from an increasingly digital future.

“The move to the NBN is not automatic. The remaining residents and businesses in the area need to move their landline phone and internet services over to the NBN if they wish to continue using them. They have a choice whether to switch across or to make do with mobile solutions.

“We are particularly urging people with special equipment including EFTPOS terminals, and medical and security alarms which operate using a landline phone connection to contact their preferred phone company and internet service provider immediately.”

Further parts of Bacchus Marsh will be switched over from the existing telecommunications network early next year.

The NBN rollout across Victoria continues to gather pace, with more than 60,000 residents and businesses already connected to the network. Work is also underway to bring the NBN to an additional 141,000 premises across the state.

You can find out whether you are eligible to connect to the NBN as well as more information about the steps you need to take to make the switch by visiting nbnco.com.au/switch.

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Parts of Bacchus Marsh are scheduled to be switched-off from 5 October 2014

Notes to editors

• The move to the NBN is not automatic – homes and businesses will need to take the following steps:

1.     Contact your preferred internet service provider or phone company:

a.     If you have a medical alarm or alert (or a family member, carer or friend) you are encouraged to register your details with NBN Co’s Medical Alarm Register by calling 1800 227 300 or complete the online form at nbnco.com.au/medicalregister.

b.     If you have an EFTPOS terminal, fax or alarm system, call the provider of that service (for example your bank) to ask what internet or landline phone services over the NBN will support the device.

c.     If your building has an emergency lift phone and/or a fire indicator panel you are encouraged to register your details with NBN Co so these services can be identified by calling 1800 687 626.**

d.     Contact your preferred phone company or internet service provider and discuss your requirements.

2.     Choose a plan that suits your needs.

3.     Order your service over the NBN as soon as possible.

• As part of the Statement of Expectations released in April 2014, NBN Co is working to ensure all Australians have access to very fast broadband as soon as possible, at affordable prices, and at the least cost to taxpayers. The Statement allows for the NBN to be built in the most cost-effective way using the technology best matched to each area of Australia.
• Areas within suburbs will have different switch off dates depending on when the NBN becomes available to their premises.
• Homes and businesses that have an existing medical or security alarm systems should contact their alarm provider and phone company to enquire about their current system and how it will work over the NBN.

* The NBN is replacing many landline networks for phone and internet services, including copper and the majority of HFC networks, within its fixed line footprint with a mix of technologies. Services provided over existing fibre networks (including in-building, health and education networks) and some special and business services may not be affected. To find out if your services will be affected, please contact your current phone or internet provider. For more information, visit www.nbnco.com.au/switch or call 1800 687 626.

** Due to specific in-building cabling requirements NBN Co is working closely with industry to develop solutions to connect emergency lift phones and fire indicator panels to the NBN. NBN Co does not currently intend to disconnect existing lift phone and fire indicator panel services. A register has been set up to identify where these services are located and so that NBN Co can ensure that they are not disconnected when many other existing services are disconnected in a particular area.

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