Lifting digital capabilities of communities around the country
Now more than ever, we’re focused on helping all Australians in regional and remote areas make the most of fast internet through access to services over the nbn® network^.
At nbn Local we are working with communities to create better partnerships and deliver initiatives that will help to lift the digital capability of regional areas. We are also there on the ground supporting communities in their time of need, enabling temporary connectivity for not only emergency services, but those people who are physically impacted in times of crisis – so they can stay connected to their friends and family during natural disasters.
We’re continually evolving Australia’s digital backbone to meet the ever-changing needs of people across the country. Through co-investment with local, state, territory and federal government, we’re committing $300M to help deliver access to higher-speed broadband services to regional and remote areas.
More than 850,000 homes and businesses in regional areas, within the Fixed Line footprint may become eligible to upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) by ordering a plan based on our higher wholesale speed tiers◊.
Upgrades to nbn Fixed Wireless will expand the reach of the existing nbn Fixed Wireless footprint by at least 50 per cent, as well as enabling two new high speed Fixed Wireless plans - 100 Mbps and 250 Mbps*. nbn is currently in the process of consulting with industry in relation to the launch of the higher speed tiers. The additional capacity and reach available on the upgraded network will enable up to 120,000 existing nbn Sky Muster satellite-only premises to access nbn Fixed Wireless for the first time.
We’ve also created business nbn Fibre Zones in more than 110 regional centres, making business-grade fibre more accessible via our flagship fibre access product – business nbn Enterprise Ethernet.†
The nbn Local difference
We understand what works for those in the city doesn’t always work for those living in the bush. It’s why we’re focused on being a trusted voice and ally for those living within regional and remote communities. Our on-the-ground support teams are ready to work with you and industry partners to enable better access to a faster, more reliable network.
As most of our team members live and work locally, they understand first-hand the connectivity challenges you may be facing, - put simply they understand where you’re coming from.
If you’re out and about and come across one of our nbn Local teams, be sure to say hello. We’re always happy to chat and to help out wherever we can. You can find us at a range of locations, community events and online.
Our areas of focus
Connecting farmers and the digital supply chain to key advisers, consumers and new markets.
We want to help Australia’s farmers take full advantage of the digital technology available to them, and help ensure they have the ability to connect with business communities around the world.
In doing so, we aim to help 85,000 farm businesses save time, and increase their revenue through the use of new, connected digital agriculture devices.
Using data to inform decision making and better manage precious resources however, is just one part of the story. Digital farming has the potential to add $20.3 billion to the value of Australian agriculture by the year 2030, with more than $15.6 billion of this revenue enabled by the internet.
Together with key partners in the agricultural supply chain, we're helping farmers discover new and innovative ways of connecting to advisers, consumers and new markets globally.
On-Farm Connectivity Guide
Supporting the digital transformation of the local arts and culture industries to drive engagement and build a growing audience for homegrown Australian creative content.
The arts sector plays a pivotal role in weaving together the fabric of Australian local communities and provides much-needed support to local economies.
By supporting and working collaboratively with industry partners, we aim to address the connectivity needs of the sector, as well as enabling innovation and access to digital platforms for creators to build their presence and participate online.
It’s our goal to encourage consistent opportunities for both audience and creators, through supporting digital infrastructure, helping to improve digital literacy and access, and strengthening the global reach for homegrown content makers.
Supporting regional and remote business communities through industry partnerships and digital innovation.
We’re committed to helping small businesses beyond Australia’s capital cities realise their digital potential through the development of wholesale products and services designed to meet the needs of a range of varying organisations and industries.
Playing our part to help ensure these businesses have the ability to operate in local, national and global markets is just one way we can work towards supporting regional and remote business communities throughout Australia.
Additionally, we will continue to endeavour to provide businesses in these areas with access to critical technology solutions through partnerships with regionally focused information and communication partners. This focus will extend to developing industry partnerships, which promote thought leadership, product development and programs to support and grow regional business.
Supporting the digitised future of online learning in the classroom and at home.
The gap between the learning opportunities and outcomes for those living in regional and remote areas compared to those in metropolitan areas is well known. There is however a significant opportunity to overcome many of these barriers through the increasing shift to online learning.
That’s why our goal is to help ensure regional and remote students (and educators) of any age can experience the benefits of online learning through access to the best educational resources in Australia and throughout the world.
Helping Australians participate in digital health care practices.
As the gap in health outcomes between those living in Australia’s cities, and the 7 million people living in regional and remote areas continues to expand, we are focused on helping community members overcome the barriers that make it difficult for them to access and participate in digital health solutions.
Our goal is to help continue building digital health literacy through community-focused programs, with an aim to improve health outcomes such as avoidable misdiagnoses and the associated health costs for those in regional and remote Australia.
We aim to achieve this through the co-creation of digital strategies, participation in key forums and events, and partnering with the local tech industry to help develop innovative solutions to a range of health challenges.
Helping to lift the digital capability and independence of Australia’s First Peoples.
We believe all Australians should have access to fast broadband and the opportunity to reap the social and economic benefits that come with being connected.
We’re not only focused on connecting First Peoples that may have had limited internet access in the past, we’re committed to helping improve the digital literacy of those using the internet by partnering with community advocates to further develop the digital capabilities of Australia’s First Peoples.
By engaging with key levels of government, peak bodies and private organisations to develop initiatives that will help us achieve our goals – we hope to ensure every Australian has the opportunity to make the most of being connected to the digital world.
Helping tourism operators in regional and remote Australia optimise their exposure and reach.
While this period has proven to be particularly challenging for our local tourism industry, we are committed to supporting regional and remote tourism operators, as well as all Australians who love to travel.
By improving digital participation and literacy, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of local tourism opportunities, we aim to drive competitiveness and stimulate the regional economy by supporting tourism operators to showcase what regional and remote Australia has to offer.
This will allow us to help meet the growing tourism demand of Australians, as well as travellers from around the globe.
Connecting farmers and the digital supply chain to key advisers, consumers and new markets.
We want to help Australia’s farmers take full advantage of the digital technology available to them, and help ensure they have the ability to connect with business communities around the world.
In doing so, we aim to help 85,000 farm businesses save time, and increase their revenue through the use of new, connected digital agriculture devices.
Using data to inform decision making and better manage precious resources however, is just one part of the story. Digital farming has the potential to add $20.3 billion to the value of Australian agriculture by the year 2030, with more than $15.6 billion of this revenue enabled by the internet.
Together with key partners in the agricultural supply chain, we're helping farmers discover new and innovative ways of connecting to advisers, consumers and new markets globally.
On-Farm Connectivity Guide
Supporting the digital transformation of the local arts and culture industries to drive engagement and build a growing audience for homegrown Australian creative content.
The arts sector plays a pivotal role in weaving together the fabric of Australian local communities and provides much-needed support to local economies.
By supporting and working collaboratively with industry partners, we aim to address the connectivity needs of the sector, as well as enabling innovation and access to digital platforms for creators to build their presence and participate online.
It’s our goal to encourage consistent opportunities for both audience and creators, through supporting digital infrastructure, helping to improve digital literacy and access, and strengthening the global reach for homegrown content makers.
Supporting regional and remote business communities through industry partnerships and digital innovation.
We’re committed to helping small businesses beyond Australia’s capital cities realise their digital potential through the development of wholesale products and services designed to meet the needs of a range of varying organisations and industries.
Playing our part to help ensure these businesses have the ability to operate in local, national and global markets is just one way we can work towards supporting regional and remote business communities throughout Australia.
Additionally, we will continue to endeavour to provide businesses in these areas with access to critical technology solutions through partnerships with regionally focused information and communication partners. This focus will extend to developing industry partnerships, which promote thought leadership, product development and programs to support and grow regional business.
Supporting the digitised future of online learning in the classroom and at home.
The gap between the learning opportunities and outcomes for those living in regional and remote areas compared to those in metropolitan areas is well known. There is however a significant opportunity to overcome many of these barriers through the increasing shift to online learning.
That’s why our goal is to help ensure regional and remote students (and educators) of any age can experience the benefits of online learning through access to the best educational resources in Australia and throughout the world.
Helping Australians participate in digital health care practices.
As the gap in health outcomes between those living in Australia’s cities, and the 7 million people living in regional and remote areas continues to expand, we are focused on helping community members overcome the barriers that make it difficult for them to access and participate in digital health solutions.
Our goal is to help continue building digital health literacy through community-focused programs, with an aim to improve health outcomes such as avoidable misdiagnoses and the associated health costs for those in regional and remote Australia.
We aim to achieve this through the co-creation of digital strategies, participation in key forums and events, and partnering with the local tech industry to help develop innovative solutions to a range of health challenges.
Helping to lift the digital capability and independence of Australia’s First Peoples.
We believe all Australians should have access to fast broadband and the opportunity to reap the social and economic benefits that come with being connected.
We’re not only focused on connecting First Peoples that may have had limited internet access in the past, we’re committed to helping improve the digital literacy of those using the internet by partnering with community advocates to further develop the digital capabilities of Australia’s First Peoples.
By engaging with key levels of government, peak bodies and private organisations to develop initiatives that will help us achieve our goals – we hope to ensure every Australian has the opportunity to make the most of being connected to the digital world.
Helping tourism operators in regional and remote Australia optimise their exposure and reach.
While this period has proven to be particularly challenging for our local tourism industry, we are committed to supporting regional and remote tourism operators, as well as all Australians who love to travel.
By improving digital participation and literacy, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of local tourism opportunities, we aim to drive competitiveness and stimulate the regional economy by supporting tourism operators to showcase what regional and remote Australia has to offer.
This will allow us to help meet the growing tourism demand of Australians, as well as travellers from around the globe.
Gauge and improve your online skills
Having the ability to communicate online with friends and family, operate a device or securely store your data has never felt more important. That’s why we’ve developed our nbn Online Skills Check and Resources. It’s designed to help measure your digital know-how, and take your online skills to the next level.
Get recommendations to help improve your internet setup
The performance of your internet can sometimes be impacted by factors within your control. The nbn Home Internet Helper asks you a few questions to assess your current internet setup and usage needs to build a set of recommendations that may help you improve the performance of your internet connection.
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nbn and the community
For information about your nbn connection
More information and assistance
We consistently work with phone and internet providers to help ensure the ‘check your address’ system is correct and up-to-date. If your address doesn’t appear when you ‘check your address’ on the nbn website, or if you have a property with more than one residence located on the land, and you would like to request an additional connection, you will need to contact your phone and internet provider. Your phone and internet provider can contact us and assist in making these changes.
To get started, we suggest providing the following information with your request:
- Coordinates of the property you wish to connect.
- Photos of the property you wish to connect.
- Proof the property is occupied.
A key part of our website experience is letting people know when they can expect to be connected to the nbn network through the ‘check your address’ tool. This function includes a map showing coverage of the nbn network. In some cases, the map will identify a property as having some nbn Fixed Wireless coverage, yet they’re not able to order an nbn Fixed Wireless connection from a phone and internet provider. Alternatively, the map doesn’t show an area has coverage, yet your neighbour may be connected, or your may be able to see an nbn Fixed Wireless tower close to your property.
In cases like these, nbn can conduct an additional analysis to confirm the availability of access to the nbn Fixed Wireless service at your actual premises.
If you believe you would benefit from this service, and you would like an additional check completed, feel free to contact nbn.
Call: 1800 687 626
Please note, GPS coordinates of the property you are seeking to connect will be required before a check can be completed.
At present, premises connected to the nbn network via Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster satellite technologies won't be disconnected from their existing phone and internet services. When ordering an nbn powered plan in Sky Muster or Fixed Wireless areas, have a discussion with your phone and internet provider about your existing landline. Consider keeping the service active if you rely on the landline in emergency situations.
If you do decide to keep your existing service active, help avoid bill shock by talking to your provider about reducing your existing service to voice only.
nbn Fixed Wireless
Landline phone and internet services won’t work if there is a power outage at the nbn Fixed Wireless Tower, backbone network or within your premises. Restoring power to your premises with an alternative power option will have no effect if the nbn Fixed Wireless Tower is also experiencing power loss. You should consider keeping a charged mobile phone in case there is a power outage of any sort.
When ordering a service over the nbn network in a Fixed Wireless area, have a discussion with your current provider about your existing landline services. If you have an existing copper phone line it is important to consider keeping it in service for emergency communications, especially if you don’t have good mobile phone coverage at your home or business.
Sky Muster (Satellite)
If there is a power outage at your premises, restoring power with an alternative power option will usually enable you to reconnect to the Sky Muster service. However, if one of the Sky Muster satellite ground stations is also experiencing power loss, there may be further delays in reconnecting your service.
When ordering a service over the nbn network in a Sky Muster area, speak to your provider about your existing landline services. If you have an existing copper phone line it is important to consider keeping it in service for emergency communications, especially if you don’t have good mobile phone coverage at your home or business.
Disclaimer
^ Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn network, depends on the nbn access technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan or how your provider designs its network). For business nbn Enterprise Ethernet, if your service provider has not selected a bandwidth in the highest of three classes of service available for business nbn Enterprise Ethernet, the speeds you experience may be affected by contention on the nbn network, particularly in busy periods. For nbn Fixed Wireless, speeds may also be impacted by the number of concurrent users on the nbn Fixed Wireless network, including during busy periods. For nbn Satellite, end customers may also experience latency.
◊ Conditions, eligibility criteria and costs will apply. Eligibility criteria as at 15/09/2021 are expected to include, among other things, being designated by nbn as a simple premises (e.g. standalone premises or Single Dwelling Unit (SDU)) and once the program is available for an eligible premises, placing an order for an nbn powered plan based on an eligible wholesale speed tier. Additional costs may apply to providers, who may choose to pass this charge onto their customers.
† business nbn Enterprise Ethernet is only available in the nbn Fixed Line network footprint and at limited premises served by the nbn Fixed Wireless and Satellite networks.
* nbn is a wholesaler and end customers should contact their preferred service provider to ask about availability. Any new speed tiers or changes to Fixed Wireless products is subject to consultation with industry which may alter the design, contractual terms, product specifications and/or go-to-market approach.
