NBN lights up in Darwin's northern suburbs
More homes and businesses in Darwin’s northern suburbs can now connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN).
More than 1,800 homes and businesses in and around the areas boarded by Fitzmaurice Drive, Trower Road and Vanderlin Drive (shown in map) are able to order an NBN service today. Construction is continuing in the region, with a further 7,600 premises switching-on in the coming months.
This continues the momentum of the NBN rollout in the Northern Territory, with nearly 1,500 residents across the Territory already experiencing the benefits of fast broadband via fixed line, fixed wireless and satellite services.
Local broadband expert and Darwin Digital Hub project officer, Justin Schmidt today welcomed the news that the NBN has arrived in more Darwin suburbs.
“This is a great opportunity for Darwin’s northern suburbs. The library’s Digital Hub has been promoting the benefits of fast broadband to locals for over a year, with residents discovering the joys of connecting with family and friends, accessing government services, as well as a range of educational benefits which require fast and stable broadband.
“Broadband underpins a huge structural change in our society and we encourage residents to sign up early to the NBN and ensure they don’t get left behind,” Mr Schmidt said.
While making today’s announcement, NBN Co also urged local residents to sign up before existing landline phone, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet services are switched off in the area.
For Darwin residents living or working in the area (shown in the map below), the 18 month countdown started on 27 December 2013. Other areas across Northern Territory will have different disconnection dates depending on when the NBN becomes available in each area.
In June 2015, NBN’s new infrastructure is scheduled to replace these existing services.
Residents who want to continue to use their landline phone, ADSL internet and/or Telstra cable internet services will need to make the switch because these services will be replaced in parts of Casuarina with services provided over NBN fibre optic cable.*
“Today’s announcement means that this part of Darwin’s northern suburbs is the next area across the country leading the way when it comes to fast broadband, with more than 1,800 homes and businesses now able to connect via a fixed line service,” NBN Co spokesperson Justin Jarvis said today.
“It’s important that residents make the switch if they’re currently using a landline phone, ADSL internet and/or Telstra cable internet services, as these services will no longer work after June 2015.
“This includes special equipment, such as medical and security alarms which are connected to the home phone.
“Even residents who don’t use the internet will still need to switch to the NBN if they want to keep using their home phone.
“With the countdown ticking, now is the perfect time for families and businesses to switch over to the NBN.
“The feedback from people who’ve already made the switch is that they enjoy having all the family online at once, making high-quality video calls with fewer drop outs, downloading movies in minutes and streaming TV.”**
“All you need to do is simply call your preferred phone or internet company to choose from a great range of competitively-priced packages over the NBN,” Mr Jarvis said.
A list of service providers can be found at: www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders
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Notes to editors
- People who can order a service and want to make the switch to the NBN should search ‘getting connected’ on the nbnco.com.au website.
- Areas within suburbs will have different switch off dates depending on when the NBN becomes available.
- Home and business owners who will have their landline phone, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet services disconnected will receive letters from NBN Co with details about how to switch to the NBN.
- 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 on the NBN.
- NBN Co has committed to finding a solution to connect complex premises, such as office and apartment blocks. A trial will commence in early 2014.
- For more information please visit www.nbnco.com.au.
* Services not replaced by the NBN include TransACT, OptiComm, some Telstra Velocity services and others. For a full list please visit www.nbnco.com.au/switchoff or call us on 1800 687 626. Optus cable internet services may also be switched off on a different date and existing customers will be advised separately.
** Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.