Is NBN a national disaster?

What is National Broadband Network?

NBN is a new telecommunications network being rolled out to deliver high speed and more reliable broadband to every home and business in Australia. To install this, NBN uses a range of broadband technologies, including FTTP, FTB, FTTN, HFC, Fixed Wireless and Satellite (for more details on these technologies, click here).

Why is it a disaster?

The NBN began in 2006 and had a simple, yet ambitious goals. Its main goal was the provide top-quality broadband internet access to Australia in a timely fashion, affordable price and at the least cost to the government. It was originally set to be devoured via FTTP to 93% of all premises however , the botched rollout of the NBN affect the public in many ways. The project cost jumped from $29.5 billion before the 2013 federal election, to $45-56 billion afterwards, making this the largest costing infrastructure project in the Australian history.

Today, the problems worsens. Some customer are being forced to pay more for an NBN internet service that is no better with the ADSL service and many consumers are not happy about this. Currently, the multi-technology model has meant to connect 54,000 people however it can’t even reach the guaranteed 25Mbps minimum the government outlined during the election.

High speed internet has become such a critical infrastructure in the 21st century. Home owners don’t have choice when it comes to the type of connection their property receives and with the housing boom in Sydney and Melbourne, many people have started to think rationally about what they will pay for. The type of service you receive is even advertised in some real estate advertisements. Does this mean people may pick and choose where they will depending on the speed on the internet if things don’t get better? Probably more so for those who work from home.

Have you had any troubles with NBN?