Eighteen month countdown to superfast broadband access
NBN Co, the company building the National Broadband Network, today announced the countdown has begun for the switchover to fibre optic broadband in 15 locations across the country.
People in areas covering approximately 25,000 homes and businesses are set to make the switch to the fibre network over an 18-month timeframe, which begins on 23 November 2012.
NBN Co will be providing public information during the switchover period outlining the actions people can take to move over to NBN fibre and the benefits that it will deliver.
At the end of the 18-month period, during which people will have the opportunity to move to a new service, existing fixed phone lines, internet services that run on the existing copperi network (e.g. ADSL) and cable internet services ii in these areas will be switched off.
NBN Co Head of Product Management and Industry Relations, Jim Hassell, said residents were being encouraged to make an early switch in order to make the most out of the network that is being rolled out progressively to all Australians.
“To make the switch, residents simply call their preferred telephone or internet service provider to choose from a great range of competitively-priced packages on the NBN,” said Mr Hassell.
“There is no need to wait until the last minute. Households and businesses across Australia are now using superfast internet services and quality phone services over the NBN to change the way they live, work and access entertainment.
“The feedback from people already connected is that they can enjoy making high-quality video calls with fewer drop outs, downloading movies in minutes, streaming TV, and having all the family online at onceiii.
“Now is the perfect opportunity to start thinking about your new phone and internet services over the NBN - particularly if you live within areas covered by the three-year rollout plan, which can be viewed at nbnco.com.au.”
Around 45 telephone and internet service providers have signed to offer services over the NBN. In some areas there is the choice of more than 30 providers all offering different telephone and broadband plans at a range of prices and monthly usage allowances.
Chief Communications Officer, NBN Co, Kieren Cooney said: “A comprehensive communications program is underway to inform people of the easy steps they need to take to switchover. We also expect that telephone and internet providers will be very active in their communications.”
Further information about service providers is available on the NBN Co website: www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Rhonda Griffin
Phone: 02 9927 4015
Mobile: 0428 134 401
Notes to Editors
- The Government's objective is for NBN Co to rollout fibre optic broadband, designed to offer its Retail Service Provider customers wholesale download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second*, to 93 per cent of Australian premises by 2021 (with a minimum fibre obligation of 90 per cent of Australian premises).
- The remaining premises are expected to receive high-speed broadband via fixed-wireless or satellite, with the rollout of both services expected to be complete by 2015.
- NBN Co is rolling out the fibre network in a series of modules, most of which pass around 2500-3000 premises.
- A standard installation of the NBN connection to the premises and equipment inside the home or business is at no charge. [For more information on what comprises a 'standard installation', please see nbnco.com.au.
- NBN Co is a wholesale company, and those wishing to switch their phone and internet to the National Broadband Network need to speak to their telephone or internet service provider. These are listed by area at www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders
- For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au
* NBN Co is designing the NBN to be capable of delivering these speeds to NBN Co's wholesale customers (telephone and internet service providers). Speeds actually achieved by retail customers (end users) will depend on a number of factors including the quality of their equipment and in-premises connection, the broadband plans offered by their service provider and how their service provider designs its network to cater for multiple end users
i Exemptions apply for some specialised business telecommunications services. For more information see http://nbnco.com.au/businessmigration
ii Excluding internet services not delivered by the Telstra copper or HFC network or the Optus HFC network. The Optus HFC network will be switched off, but at a later date than the Telstra copper and HFC network.
iii Your experience depends on some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.
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