The National Broadband Network (NBN) is the largest infrastructure project in Australia’s history. Tasmania was Australia’s first NBN trial site to go live in August 2011. Townsville made its mark within Queensland by being the first location in our state to benefit from the NBN, with Mundingburra and Aitkenvale being switched on 1 September 2011. Considering NBN Co’s rollout plan, Townsville will initially be the largest NBN rollout in Queensland. Volume activation of mainland Australia’s first release sites will occur early 2012. This is great news for Townsville businesses and residents. 

There has been a lot of talk about what the NBN is, and how businesses will benefit, however it seems there is still a lot of confusion. This information should make things a little clearer for you.

If we haven’t answered your question, please email invest@tel.com.au – our aim is to help you!

The NBN is quite simply ‘superfast broadband’. The NBN will allow you to connect to national and international contacts within seconds, rather than having a disjointed video conference. Additionally, the communication experience will be enriched by greater collaboration and file sharing opportunities. 

Optic fibre is either laid underground or incorporated into the telephone infrastructure above ground. Your premise connection will generally follow the route of current telephone cabling. This optic fibre cable will run directly to your home, this is also known as fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).

Optic fibre is available to most residents within Australia, those who do not have optic fibre accessibility will either be connected to wireless or satellite technology. 93% of Australians will be connected to optic fibre, 4% via wireless and 3% to satellite - everyone will be connected! 

To connect to the NBN, residents will receive two free NBN boxes, 1 internal and 1 external box. The internal box provides 2 voice ports for your telephone and 4 broadband connections. The external box provides connectivity from the optic fibre cable to the internal NBN box. 

 

Participants connected during the trial period will receive the NBN boxes. Those who aren’t connected during the trial phase will need to contact a Retail Service Provider (RSP). RSP’s will generally distribute information about plans and pricing of services prior to connecting your premise. You will be able to compare the packages offered and when you select your RSP they will organise the lead in and all the relevant equipment you will require. 

What is an RSP?

What Are the Benefits?

Townsville’s Rollout

Townsville’s first rollout site included the residents within the Mundingburra and Aitkenvale area. Currently these two suburbs have 100 trial clients connected to the NBN. To obtain a connection upon roll out in your area, premise owners or landlords will need to ‘opt in’ to the NBN. At this stage businesses are yet to be connected however the Cathedral School is an exception, with their connection taking place on 1 September 2011. The Cathedral School was Townsville’s official NBN ‘switch on’ site. To find out when you will be connected visit NBN's one year roll-out plan. 

 

Business on the NBN

RSP’s do not currently offer any business packages for NBN connected premises. It is expected that SOHO (Small Office Home Office) packages will become available in mid-2013. Businesses can currently opt into residential packages and these will meet the requirements of most small businesses. Upon release, the additional benefits of business packages will include a guaranteed service and consistent bandwidth, even during peak usage periods.