Remaining residents urged to move internet and landline services over to the NBN 

More than 700 homes and businesses will soon be the first in Northern Territory to complete the transition to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

As part of a national upgrade to Australia’s fixed-line infrastructure, services over the NBN are scheduled to progressively replace most existing landline phone and internet services in parts of Darwin City, starting from 20 February 2015.

NBN Co today urged the remaining homes and businesses in these regions that have not placed an order for services over the NBN to contact their preferred internet service provider or phone company as soon as possible.

Justin Jarvis, NBN Co spokesperson said:

“By the time the rollout of the NBN is complete, every home, business and community across the Northern Territory 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 these areas 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 as soon as possible.”

Alan James, Darwin Entertainment Centre said:

“The NBN is bringing the future of entertainment to Darwin. Our Telstra NBN connection will allow us to partner with international festivals to live-stream performances into our theatres. It also opens up opportunities for local talent to stream performances from Darwin to venues right around Australia.

Access to fast broadband will also help us drive business efficiencies as we transition our ticketing system online. By redesigning our website and creating a mobile app, our customers will soon be able to download their tickets to their smartphone and electronically scan it as they arrive, enabling a hassle-free paperless system.”

The NBN rollout continues to gain momentum in Northern Territory with more than 6,000 homes and businesses already connected.  Work is also underway to expand the network to an additional 23,000 premises across the state, including newly added areas such as parts of Howard Springs.

You can find out whether you are eligible to connect to the NBN as well as more information about the areas scheduled to complete the transition to the NBN by visiting nbnco.com.au/switch.

Media enquiries
NBN Co Media Hotline
P: 02 9927 4200
E: media@nbnco.com.au

Grant Thomas
M: 0417 554 787
E: grant.thomas@nbnco.com.au

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Notes to editors:

• The NBN is replacing most of the traditional 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/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.
• 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.

• Areas within suburbs will have different switch off dates depending on when the NBN becomes available to their premises.
• Parts of Darwin City will be the first region of the Northern Territory to complete the transition to the NBN, followed by parts of Casuarina from 27 June 2015.
• NBN Co is currently undertaking a comprehensive communication campaign with residents in areas of Darwin City and Casuarina scheduled to make the switch to the NBN. This includes local advertising, community information sessions, direct mail and door-to-door service calls to those within the area.

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